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An investigation is underway after a reserve officer with the Tampa Police Department shot a man who threatened her, investigators said.
It happened just before 7 p.m. on Channelside Drive near Sparkman Wharf. During a press conference, Chief Deputy Brett Owen said two reserve officers were working an intersection in the area to help control crowds going to the Tampa Bay Lightning game.
Reserve officers are volunteer employees trained to provide additional personnel for emergencies or special events. These officers do not have body-worn cameras.
TPD said the two reserve officers are married and joined the department in July 2023.
The officers, identified as Shelby Riggs-Hopkins and Paul Hopkins, reportedly had an "interaction" with 38-year-old Jaquan Thomas that led Riggs-Hopkins to fire her weapon.
Police said the man was hit three times. The second officer did not fire any weapon.
During an early investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said Thomas threatened to shoot one of the officers and reached for his pocket before getting shot.
He was taken to the hospital where officials said on Sunday he was in critical condition but stable. No officers were hurt.
In surveillance video released on Monday from a TECO Streetcar, someone can be seen in the distance falling to the ground after gunshots rang out.
MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/officer-shooting-downtown-tampa/67-5aa7ca89-66a2-4370-802d-ffaab43bb76e