Man Fatally Shot In North Tampa After Pointing Fake Gun At Driver

TAMPA, FL — Tampa police are investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday night in North Tampa.

At 11:28 p.m., police were called to the 8500 block of North Hamner Avenue off North Boulevard for a report of gunshots.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a man with gunshot wounds to the upper body.

Officers gave the man aid until Tampa Fire Rescue arrived but the man died at the scene, police said.

According to police, all who were involved including the shooter, a man in his mid-20s, stayed at the scene and are cooperating with police.

The preliminary investigation indicates the shooter was sitting in a friend's driveway in his vehicle when the man who was shot parked his vehicle in the street in front of him.

The shooter told police that the victim left his vehicle, put a handgun in his waistband, approached the side door of his vehicle and began knocking on the window.

The shooter lowered his window and the victim yelled something he didn't understand and then raised his gun toward him.

Thinking the man was going to shoot him, he grabbed his own gun and fired at the man, hitting him in the upper body.

Police later discovered that the victim's gun was fake.

Possible charges are being reviewed in partnership with the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office.