1 Dead In Shooting At Auto Body Shop

TAMPA, FL — The fatal Wednesday morning shooting of a 41-year-old man at the Tampa auto body shop he once worked at is under investigation by police. Authorities say the alleged shooter is cooperating with detectives and has been identified as the shop’s owner.

The encounter that led to Benjamin Rodriguez Barral’s May 24 death began just before 10:30 a.m. when police say he went to AA Auto Body, 1904 W. Columbus Drive. Barral is a former employee of the shop, an email from the police department said.

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Once at the shop, police say Barrel “entered into a heated discussion” with AA Auto Body’s owner, Alex Alfonso, 34. That discussion “escalated into a physical altercation in the parking lot, which led to Alfonso producing a firearm and shooting Barral.”

Police say Barral died from his injuries.

After the shots were fired, Alfonso took off from the shop in a red Corvette, but returned a short time later “in a different car.” Police say Alfonso has been cooperating with detectives.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no charges had been filed. Police are working with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office to determine what, if any, charges will be filed.

Further information is not being released at this time.

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