TAMPA, Fla. — A man is dead after opening fire on multiple Tampa Police Department (TPD) officers Monday, the police chief said, and police video of the incident released Tuesday night is shedding light on how it unfolded.
Chief Lee Bercaw said the gunman, identified as 33-year-old Michael A. Bresnahan, was wanted after repeatedly stabbing the mother of his young children Monday afternoon. Bercaw said the woman was stabbed in front of the children and left bleeding in the 2800 block of 35th Street.
Tampa Police said she was stabbed 13 times and remains in the hospital due to her injuries.
Bresnahan drove away with the children and dropped them off at his brother's house, Bercaw said. While at the home, he reportedly stole an AK-47 rifle that belonged to his brother.
At 5:40 p.m., officers spotted Bresnahan driving near Dale Mabry Highway and Spruce Street and began following him. Eight minutes later, he pointed the gun at the officers, who then chased him, Bercaw said.
Police helicopter video shows officers attempt to stop the chase using spike strips, but the driver of a black SUV — who police identified as Bresnahan — drove around them. Video also shows the SUV's driver crash through the fence of a trash facility to avoid the officers trailing behind him.
The pursuit was headed northbound on Florida Avenue when the SUV collided into the path of a blue car — occupied by both a driver and passenger — near the intersection of Gladys Street.
According to Bercaw, immediately after the crash, Bresnahan opened fire from his SUV. Eighteen officers returned fire. Bresnahan was killed by what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot.
“Let me be clear, this suspect was a public menace and a deadly threat to our community," said Bercaw. “No one should have to witness the chaos that this suspect caused our community.”
Though video shows that multiple bystanders were in proximity to the shootout, police said none were injured. No officers were injured either.
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duty as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigates the shooting.
However, both the FDLE and Bercaw said their initial impression is that the officers involved are heroes.
Sabrina Turner thinks so too.
The mother of six was driving to work at a local hospital when she became surrounded by the shootout.
“I’m going to die. I’m going to die. I just knew I was going to get shot. I just didn’t know where," she said. “I just kind of hunched down, and tried and take cover. I felt like I was going to get hit by one of the bullets.”
Luckily, she was unscathed, and she thanks the Tampa officers, who she said pulled her from her car to safety. The heroic act can be seen in the police body cam video released Tuesday.
“I can’t even express my gratitude," she said.
