TAMPA, Fla. — An armed man was killed after police say there was an officer-involved shooting Monday evening in Tampa.
Officers with the Tampa Police Department were involved in the shooting and used "deadly force" on the man, the agency said in a news release.
Speaking during a news conference Monday night, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said Michael Bresnahan, 33, was wanted after he stabbed a woman – who was the mother of his children – 13 times earlier in the day.
"He had stabbed her in front of the children who are between the ages of 2 and 6," Bercaw said.
The police chief says Bresnahan left the woman bleeding at their home in the area of 35th Street. As of Tuesday evening, the woman is still at the hospital and is stable.
After he stabbed the woman, authorities say he drove away with the children and dropped them off at his brother's home. Bresnahan then reportedly stole his brother's assault rifle.
At 5:45 p.m., Bercaw said police officers found the 33-year-old's car near Dale Mabry and Spruce Street heading south and followed the car while waiting for air service. Three minutes later, police say he pointed the assault rifle at officers.
"A pursuit was initiated and our officers attempted to stop the pursuit using our spike strips," Bercaw said. "However, the suspect drove around them."
Bresnahan then crashed into a blue sedan that contained two passengers, police say. That's when he got out of the car and began shooting again at police officers. Authorities returned fire, which struck and killed the 33-year-old, officials say.
Police say no officers were hurt during the shooting.
"The officers [who shot at the man] were all placed on administrative duty and in my opinion are heroes in this act," Bercaw said. "Our thoughts are with the stabbing victim as she fights for her life in the hospital right now, the children who experienced this and the occupants in the vehicle.
"No one should have to witness the chaos that this suspect caused in our community."
Bercaw said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the actions of the police officers who fired at Bresnahan.
The children who were dropped off at the home of the 33-year-old's brother are now safe with another family member, Bercaw mentioned.
The investigation of the shooting remains ongoing.