TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tampa police arrest escalated into a shootout between a suspect and officers Tuesday morning.
According to the Tampa Police Department, the incident happened at around 10:30 a.m. on East Busch Boulevard when officers were investigating an unrelated case.
Tampa police Chief Lee Bercaw said when officers arrived, they spotted Matt Fowler, 23, who was checking car door and residential door handles.
“They went to engage him and identify him and find out what he was doing, and that’s when a fight occurred,” Bercaw said.
The chief told reporters that during the altercation, Fowler pulled out his gun, pointed it at the officers, and fired at them. Officers returned fire, but neither party was hurt in the shootout.
“This morning is just a stark reminder of just how dangerous this profession is,” Bercaw said. “I have two of my officers that were shot at today, and fortunately, they’re alive, and we’re not attending a police funeral right now.”
According to the chief, Fowler is a convicted felon with a violent history. He was released from prison about year ago for a violent crime.
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Source: wfla
