Tampa, Florida – Authorities in Hillsborough County are investigating a tragic shooting incident that resulted in the deaths of a suspect and his parents, as well as the injury of a deputy. The incident occurred late Saturday night in Carrollwood, at a residence on Cactus Wren Place.
The suspect, identified as Christos Alexander Themelis Jr., 19, allegedly shot his father, Christos Byron Themelis, 51, according to a 911 call made by his mother, Rebecca Ann Themelis, 48. When deputies arrived at the scene, the suspect and his mother were outside the house. The suspect proceeded to shoot his mother and the deputies, prompting return fire from the law enforcement officers. The suspect then retreated back into the residence.
Authorities deployed SWAT, explosive ordnance disposal, and crisis negotiation teams to handle the situation. Upon entering the home, officers discovered that the suspect had succumbed to his injuries. It was revealed that there had been multiple calls for service at the residence since 2021, mostly related to mental health concerns and instances of violence involving the suspect and his parents.
Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized the need to determine how the suspect was able to access firearms despite having them seized earlier in the year. Detectives are working to uncover the circumstances that led to the tragic events on Saturday. Deputy Shane McGough, one of the officers involved in the incident, underwent surgery to remove a bullet from his leg and is expected to recover.
The sheriff commended the quick and skillful response of the deputies, noting that their actions helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating further in the neighborhood. The investigation into the shooting continues as authorities strive to piece together the events that unfolded that tragic night in Carrollwood.