An armed suspect who tried to carjack several customers in the parking lot of a Florida Publix was shot and killed by a supervisor of a local business Tuesday morning, officials said.
The incident happened just after 9 a.m. at the Sun City shopping center in Hillsborough County south of Tampa.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the suspect, who was armed with a semi-automatic handgun, attempted to carjack at least four people in the parking lot, but was unsuccessful because the drivers were able to lock their doors. The suspect then tried to get into local businesses but was unsuccessful, Chronister said.
At one point, the supervisor of one of the businesses confronted the suspect behind the business, there was an altercation, and the suspect was shot in the upper body, Chronister said.
The suspect, whose name wasn't released, died a short time later at a local hospital. Chronister said he had a lengthy criminal history with at least 10 felony arrests related to narcotics.
The business supervisor wasn't injured, and legally had the firearm, Chronister said. He isn't facing charges at this point.
"This is extremely fluid and preliminary," Chronister said. "We do have some cameras, surveillance footage that we will be taking a look at."
