Hillsborough Dad Shot 3 Sons In Dispute Over Car

RUSKIN, FL — A Hillsborough County man is facing aggravated assault charges after being accused of recently shooting and injuring his three sons during a dispute in Ruskin, according to authorities and a media report.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said they have arrested Christopher Lee Brown, 36.

Authorities arrived around 11:15 a.m. Sunday in the 500 block of Sunlit Coral Street, where they found three juveniles suffering from gunshot wounds.

A car was the focal point of the dispute between the two parties, authorities said.

While the sheriff's office did not identify the juveniles as Brown's sons, WFLA reported court documents showed Brown is their father.

Brown was accused of using a gun to hit one son in the head, which caused the gun to shoot the boy in his left jaw and earlobe, WFLA reported.

Two sons attempted to run toward Brown, who was trying to get into a car, and Brown was accused of shooting them, WFLA reported, citing court documents.

Authorities said Brown fired several shots at the three juveniles, who suffered injuries that were not life threatening and who were taken to Tampa General Hospital.

Brown was arrested on charges of three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of attempted murder in the first-degree premeditated firearm-discharge, three counts of aggravated battery great bodily harm or deadly weapon firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, discharge firearm in public or on residential property, two counts of burglary of an occupied dwelling, resisting officer without violence and criminal mischief (more than $200, less than $1,000), authorities said.

Hillsborough County Jail records showed Brown remained incarcerated on Tuesday.

"This was a senseless and alarming act of violence that could have had an even more devastating outcome," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release. "I'm grateful for the swift response of our deputies and the dedicated efforts of our detectives, who worked quickly to identify the suspect and ensure he was taken into custody without further incident."

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