TAMPA, Fla. — UPDATE (11-19-20): On Nov. 19, the Tampa Police Department received a copy of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's investigation into the shooting. The case will be presented to the State Attorney's Office for review. The police department's internal affairs investigation is still underway.
Previous story below:
Tampa police shot and killed an armed man Tuesday morning after they say he stole from a nearby Dollar General, according to law enforcement.
It all began around 9:20 a.m. at that store, which is located at 3110 N 50th St.
Authorities say surveillance video shows Dollar General employees trying to take back stolen merchandise from 26-year-old Dominque Mulkey but letting him walk out with the items after he brandished a gun.
Police say someone within the store called 911 while staff huddled everyone into a back office to keep them away from the armed man.
Two officers arrived within minutes, spotted Mulkey about five blocks north of the Dollar General and drew their weapons on him. As shown in body camera video, police ordered him to get on the ground.
But he didn't, Police Chief Brian Dugan said.
According to Dugan, Mulkey was holding a gun in his hand. Investigators say he turned his body toward the officers, who fired their guns at him.
It's unclear how many times each officer fired or whose bullets struck Mulkey. But police say there is no indication that Mulkey fired the gun he was holding. As of Tuesday evening, it appears only the officers fired their weapons.
Emergency crews attempted life-saving measures and transported Mulkey to the hospital, but he died.
"The whole thing is tragic," Dugan said.
The chief said he did not know what type of gun Mulkey had, but investigators told him it was loaded.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will lead the investigation into the matter. The Tampa Police Department will conduct an internal affairs investigation at the conclusion of the FDLE investigation. In the meantime, both officers have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol.
"They were very shaken. You can see where it just happened so quickly," Chief Dugan said.
One of the officers was a 48-year-old, 25-year veteran of the police force. The other was a 24-year-old officer who had been with the department for two years. Neither officer were injured.
“This is a difficult day for all involved," Mayor Jane Castor wrote in a statement. "My thoughts are with the family who lost a loved one under tragic circumstances, with the officers who were put into a position that required them to use deadly force, and the innocent store employees who were traumatized by this incident. The officers took actions today to protect our community. Now, FDLE will conduct an independent investigation as part of a new process that ensures objectivity and transparency.”
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