Florida Shootout leaves 4 people dead, 2 deputies injured
Pastor Dale Morgan
Florida Shootout leaves 4 people dead, 2 deputies injured*
By MITCH STACY,
Associated Press Writer AP - Sunday, June 8
TAMPA, Fla. - Three people were found dead in a home on Saturday, and a
man spotted fleeing the scene was shot and killed after he fired at two
sheriff's deputies pursuing him, authorities said.
Deputies had caught up to the suspect about a mile and a half from the
house when he shot from his vehicle and wounded the deputies,
authorities said. He then got out of the truck and attacked one of the
deputies before a third officer shot and killed the suspect.
Hillsborough County sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway said investigators
were searching for a motive in the deaths of those found fatally shot in
the home.
Neighbor John Mullins told The Tampa Tribune he heard shooting from
across a privacy fence. His wife, Vernetta Mullins, saw a man flee in a
red pickup truck, she said.
"After the shooting, he came out with a gun in his hand with a white
towel draped over it," she told the newspaper. She then called 911.
The suspect, who has not been named, had lived on and off at the house
and had a relationship with at least one of the female victims, Callaway
said.
The bodies of Gina Marie Lamantia-Bello, 44, who was renting the house,
and Chris Artigas, 45, were found. Regina Ann Coffaro, 44, was taken to
a hospital, a sheriff's spokesman said.
Artigas, a captain and 23-year veteran of the Hillsborough County Fire
Rescue, was married with two sons and a daughter.
"We're all saddened in Hillsborough County Fire Rescue by this loss,"
said Chief Bill Nesmith. "He was a well-respected, well-rounded
individual who did an excellent job for us for 23 years."
Marvin Kinsler said he knew the suspect and described him as a nice,
outgoing person.
"He was one of those people who would say, 'If you need something, just
ask,'" Kinsler said. "I still can't imagine him doing that."
The wounded deputies were taken to a hospital and underwent surgery.
Both of the veteran deputies were in fair condition. Deputy Ray Wilson,
55, who fought with the suspect, was shot in the arm. Deputy Art Lence,
53, was hit in the lower torso, with the bullet exiting through his back.