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A suspect is identified in a vehicular rampage that led to two deaths in South Tampa

A bald white man with glasses and wearing a long-sleeved black police uniform stands at a mic and addresses reporters, who are not shown. The Tampa Police Department logo is on the gray wall behind him.
Tampa Police Department
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Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw briefs reporters on a vehicular rampage that led to officers fatally shooting a suspect.

Police say Jeremiah Bailey struck multiple pedestrians with his car, killing one and injuring others. After a police chase onto I-275, officers said they fatally shot Bailey when he appeared to reach for something.

A suspect has been identified in a vehicular rampage Sunday that led to two deaths — including the suspect — in South Tampa.

According to the Tampa Police Department:

Jeremiah Bailey, 48, allegedly got into a verbal dispute at a Dollar General store. Bailey first blocked a man and a vehicle in in the parking lot before letting him leave.

Bailey then followed that driver to a house nearby, where he struck him with his car. That man suffered minor injuries.

Bailey fled that scene and pedestrians with his car at a number of South Tampa locations, killing one and injuring two more people.

Officers say none of the victims knew Bailey.

Police started a pursuit that led onto northbound Interstate 275. Once Bailey stopped, he was told to show his hands multiple times and was shot and killed by officers after he appeared to reach for something.

Seven police officers fired shots.

Three additional officers, none of which fired shots, sustained injuries that were not life-threatening and were transported to a hospital for treatment. Their injuries appeared to be from ricochets or debris, and not from direct gunshots, police said.

Bailey had an extensive criminal history, including battery on a law enforcement officer, battery on an EMT and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to a police department’s news release. He was released from Florida State Prison in October 2022.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting and the involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, both standard procedures for the Tampa Police Department.

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