Domestic Violence Incident That Began In Riverview Tuesday Turned Fatal In Manatee

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough and Manatee deputies responded to a fatal shooting incident that first began in Hillsborough County Tuesday afternoon and then ended up near the Ellenton Mall, Florida Highway Patrol said.

The suspect, 31-year-old Gregory Donnell Smalls of Riverview, shot his wife and then killed himself early Wednesday morning at the outlet mall, FHP troopers said.

Troopers found a black 2017 Infiniti QX60 in a ditch near Interstate 75 at the State Road 574 exit in Hillsborough at 4:40 p.m. A white 2006 Honda Pilot driven by Smalls had forced the Infiniti into the ditch near SR-574, officers said.

After Smalls ran the Infiniti off the road, he got out of his Pilot and shot several rounds into the Infiniti where his 28-year-old wife sat. Smalls then pulled the woman out of the Infiniti and placed her in the Pilot, troopers said.

According to detectives, Smalls drove on I-75 southbound to Ellenton Outlet Mall. Deputies from the Hillsborough and Manatee Counties along with troopers worked to locate Smalls, and were able to do so in the overnight hours.

Deputies saw Smalls and his victim in a tree line near the mall. Just after 2 a.m., a gunshot was heard near the suspect, officers said.

The Manatee County SWAT Team found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound with the victim severely injured from several bullets, FHP said.

The victim was taken to an area hospital in serious condition.

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