A Tampa police officer is expected to recover after being shot in the leg Wednesday morning at the department's North Tampa district office across the street from Busch Gardens' rear gate.
Master Police Officer Jordan Laupert, 40, was taken to Tampa General Hospital. Authorities said he did not need surgery and was treated for his gunshot wound.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said Laupert, a 10-year veteran of the department, was with his wife and 19-year-old daughter at the hospital. Bercaw added that he was alert, in good spirits and “joking around."
“The situation could have been much worse,” Bercaw said.
The suspect in the shooting was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near the Busch Gardens' guard station off 30th Street. Police have identified him as Jaylin Greene, 21.
Authorities said Greene had a limited criminal history in the Tampa area, with preliminary information suggesting only one known juvenile arrest in 2019.
Bercaw said he believed Greene was experiencing a mental health crisis.
The shooting took place about 8:15 a.m. Laupert, a school resource officer at Hillsborough High School, was on summer assignment at the district office at 9330 N. 30th St., Bercaw said.
Police said that Greene entered the front of the police office “to complain about something, but the details of that are yet to be determined.”
Shortly after, Greene was walking outside the office fence on 30th Street, where he got the attention of Laupert.
Through the fence, "they had what appeared to be a cordial conversation in the rear of the building,” Bercaw said. “At that point, the conversation appeared to be over. The officer turned and walked away back toward the back door of the district, and he felt at that time that he had been shot in the leg.”
Body camera video released by police showed Laupert speaking to Greene through the fence. The only sound that can be heard is when Laupert tells Greene where the police department's headquarters are located. Greene says, "Thank you," as Laupert walks away.
Laupert then turned off the body camera as he walked toward the building. As he got closer to the entrance, he turned the camera back on. According to police, he did this right after he was shot.
Laupert then goes behind the building, closer to a door, according to the footage. As another officer comes to help, the officer says, "Get me to a hospital."
Bercaw said fellow officers immediately rushed to apply aid, “and put a tourniquet on his leg.”
Police said that Greene ran away following the incident. He was found near the Busch Garden's guard gate at Annie and 30th streets, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Bercaw said.
Greene did not make it inside the theme park, he said.
The incident is not being investigated as an officer-involved shooting or an in-custody death, police said. However, it is still an active and open investigation.
“We’re sorry to hear about the Tampa police officer who was shot today,” said Gov Ron DeSantis, who was participating in an education roundtable in Town N’ Country. “The suspect, the criminal, the shooter is dead and so he’s not going to bother anybody anymore going forward.
“We understand how important it is for people to wear the uniform. The reality is that these guys do a lot for us, so we should be appreciative.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted on social media that his office was aware of the incident and said, “Our prayers are with the officer who was injured by this sick and depraved gunman.”
