Tampa Police officers shoot man who pointed gun at them

TAMPA — Officers from the Tampa Police Department shot a man in Old Seminole Heights on Thanksgiving after he allegedly pointed a gun at them, police say.

The man was shot multiple times and is in critical condition at St. Joseph’s Hospital, said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan at a news conference on Thursday afternoon.

Officers were first called to the 100 block of East Flora Street around 1:30 p.m. after a man was spotted with a gun in the area, police say. The man was found in a backyard shed when officers arrived.

Police say they then ordered the man to show his hands, but he instead turned toward officers with a gun pointed at them. Officers then fired their weapons and hit the man, whose name has not been released.

“We are fortunate that our two officers were not injured," Dugan said. "They left their families to keep our city safe this Thanksgiving; but today, they were required to use deadly force.”

Dugan said the officers involved in the shooting included a five-year and 19-year veteran.

Officers immediately began applying first aid to the man, police say. Tampa Fire Rescue arrived and transported him to St. Joseph’s Hospital.