USF Football Player Arrested After Shooting

TAMPA, FL — A University of South Florida football player shot three times following an alleged road rage incident has been arrested in the case.

According to the Tampa Police Department, detectives charged Hassan Childs with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of misdemeanor possession of marijuana on Monday, March 27. Childs was charged in the case while still being treated at a local hospital for gunshot wounds. He was last listed in stable condition, a Monday email from the police department said.

The investigation that led to Childs' arrest kicked off around 11:16 p.m. March 25 when officers received a call about shots fired at the Eagles Point apartments on North 46th Street. When officers arrived at the New Tampa apartment complex, they “discovered what appeared to be a road rage incident that resulted in one man begin shot three times,” the police department wrote. (Keep up with what's happening around Tampa Bay by signing up for your local Patch's newsletter and alerts!)

Police say Jovanni Jimenez, 26, was headed home eastbound on Skipper Road with his wife, Jennifer, 31, in the front seat of their vehicle and the couple's 3-year-old son in the back.

"As Jimenez was driving, he noticed a Chevy Malibu behind him that was tailgating him and attempting to pass him," the email said. Police say Jimenez pulled over at the apartment complex to let the vehicle pass, but Childs is accused of pulling over and pointing a silver firearm toward the family's vehicle. Jennifer Jimenez, the email said, told police she saw the gun at that time. Jovanni Jimenez did not, the email added.

"Jovanni continued to drive toward his apartment when Jennifer told him about the other driver pointing a firearm at them," the email said. "Jovanni, who has a valid concealed weapon permit, removed his gun from his waistband and placed it on the seat next to his leg."

Childs, police say, continued to tailgate the family's vehicle. Jovanni Jimenez pulled over again. Childs is accused of pulling up to the driver's side of the vehicle and pointing a gun at Jovanni.

"In fear of his life and his family's life, Jovanni Jimenez fired three rounds at Childs," the email said.

Police say Childs was shot in the upper right arm, torso and beneath his arm. Jimenez drove home "and immediately phoned 911."

Police say Childs also has a concealed weapons permit. Officers recovered a loaded firearm and 20 grams of cannabis from his vehicle.

Childs was taken to a local hospital for treatment following the shooting. Monday's arrest was made while he remained in the hospital. A booking photo and further information are not yet available.

Image via Shutterstock