Murder-Suicide Takes Place Inside Riverview Apartment: Sheriff

RIVERVIEW, FL — Update: A murder-suicide occurred Monday between a 30-year-old Riverview man and his partner inside their apartment at the 6000 block of Cypressdale Drive, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

A friend of the suspect, Keith Jackson, told police just before 7:30 a.m. that his friend FaceTimed him, and he said that he killed a man who was his partner.

Deputies tried to make contact with Jackson shortly after his friend contacted them, but he refused to leave the home. In response, HCSO's SWAT Team was activated, and crisis negotiators continued their de-escalation efforts, according to investigators.

At 12:56 p.m., fire was seen from the back of the apartment. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue found two dead adult males inside the apartment. The victim is an adult, Black male in his late 20s to early 30s.

"We are saddened by the violence displayed today by the suspect, and the loss of life," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Our team made every attempt to get the suspect to surrender peacefully. Despite the outcome, we witnessed a phenomenal display of patience and professionalism from the men and women of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office who worked this incident for several hours, as well as the Hillsborough County firefighters who extinguished the fire as rapidly as possible to prevent any danger or risk to the public."

If you are thinking about suicide, or know someone who is considering it, please visit Suicide Prevention.

Original Patch Story:

A man has been barricaded inside his Riverview home just before 7:30 Monday morning, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

As of 12:35 p.m., the HCSO SWAT Team has been activated and crisis negotiators are in communication with the individual who is inside a home at the 6000 block of Cypressdale Drive, Riverview.

This is a developing story. Patch will keep you updated.