Man Shot By Tampa Officer Identified

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Police Department is investigating a Thursday morning shooting involving one of its own.

According to the agency, police were called to the 1000 block of East 25th Avenue just before 11 a.m. about a burglary in progress. “Officers responded to the scene where they encountered the suspect inside the home,” the agency wrote in an email to media. That suspect has been identified as Joey Antonio Kennedy, 40.

Police say responding officers noticed a window on the side of the house had been broken, the email said. "They also recognized a car parked outside as belonging to a man with an extensive criminal record and outstanding warrants," the email added.

Three officers and K9 Indo entered the house. Indo, the email said, engaged Kennedy who "tossed a flaming accelerant on the K9 and on the K9 officer."

Officer Tim Bergman, a 12-year agency veteran, was in fear for his life and "opened fire," the email said.

Kennedy suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

Bergman was able to douse the flames and was not injured. He has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the shooting.

“The suspect is known to police and there currently is a warrant for his arrest for violation of probation related to cases of robbery and grand theft,” the agency wrote.

Booking photo of Kennedy from a 2014 arrest courtesy of the Tampa Police Department