Father Of 5 Gunned Down: Arrest Warrant Issued

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Police Department says its detectives have developed a suspect in an April 27 shooting that left a father of five dead outside a liquor store. According to police, the man wanted in connection with the death of Curtis Eugene Thomas, 39, is three-time convicted felon Michael A. Bridgeman, 29.

The police department announced on June 13 its detectives had obtained a warrant for Bridgeman’s arrest in connection with the murder. Bridgeman has a lengthy criminal record, including three felony convictions, authorities say.

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Florida Department of Corrections records show Bridgeman was last released from state custody on Oct. 7, 2012, following a conviction on fleeing law enforcement officer charges. At the time, he listed his home address as Riverview. More recent arrest records show Bridgeman may have been living in Tampa at the time of the shooting.

The case against Bridgeman began to develop just before 1 a.m. April 27. Police say Thomas was riding a bicycle toward the Lake Avenue Liquor Store, 2209 E. Lake Ave., at the time. Thomas, police wrote in an email to media, arrived at the store and began yelling at Bridgeman for reasons that remain unknown.

“Bridgeman then pulled out a firearm and shot Thomas several times, causing him to fall to the pavement in front of the store,” a Tuesday email from the police department said. “Bridgeman then walked over pointed the firearm, and shot Mr. Thomas in the head before fleeing on foot.”

Thomas, police say, left behind five children.

Detectives say Bridgeman was connected to the crime through surveillance video pulled from the scene. Several witnesses, who know Bridgeman, also “positively identified him in the video,” the email said.

When captured, Bridgeman faces first-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm charges. Police say he should “be considered armed and dangerous.”

Anyone with information about Bridgeman’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or visit the organization’s website at www.crimestopperstb.com.

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Photo courtesy of the Tampa Police Department