The deputy was investigating a domestic disturbance at a Publix at U.S. 301 and Big Bend Road.
By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune
and RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune
Published: December 24, 2009
Updated: 19 min. ago
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RIVERVIEW - A Hillsborough County sheriff's corporal shot and killed a 32-year-old man this afternoon after he was called to investigate a domestic disturbance at a supermarket, authorities say.
When Cpl. Mark Clark arrived at the Publix at U.S. 301 and Big Bend Road about 1 p.m., he saw a man and a woman arguing in the parking lot, Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee said.
The woman tried waving the deputy off and the couple got into a car and drove away. Three children, ages 12, 6 and 2, were in the backseat.
His suspicions aroused, Clark followed them, staying several car-lengths behind, Gee said.
"He still thought something was amiss and she was still in danger," Gee said at a news conference this afternoon near the scene of the fatal shooting.
Gee gave this account of what happened:
The woman drove north on U.S. 301 before pulling over just south of Symmes Road. Clark saw the couple arguing inside the car and pulled up behind them.
Clark asked the man to step out of the car's passenger seat and questioned him. The woman got out of the vehicle to argue with the man. The man then ran to his passenger-side door and pulled out a large-caliber handgun.
The woman, sitting in the driver's seat, grabbed the gun and they struggled. It appeared the woman was trying to wrestle the weapon away to prevent the man from shooting at Clark.
Standing at the passenger side, Clark tried to stun the man with a handheld Taser, but the device didn't fire. The man kicked the Taser away as he struggled for the gun with the woman.
Clark drew his gun and fired one shot, striking the man in the upper torso. The suspect died at the scene.
Clark was not injured.
"It's the last thing we want to happen," Gee said. "It looks pretty straightforward. He did what he had to do. There was a lot going on and he was by himself."
Clark, a dayshift supervisor, is a 23-year veteran of the sheriff's office. He is being placed on administrative leave, standard procedure following a deputy-involved shooting.
Gee said the couple, whose names have not yet been released, have a history of domestic violence. The woman had filed a domestic violence injunction against the man, the sheriff's office said.
The children have been taken into custody by child welfare officials. The Hillsborough State Attorney's Office has also responded to the scene.
Reporter Jose Patino Girona contributed to this report. Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698. Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920.
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