The man killed in a deputy-involved shooting at a Brandon Walmart shot himself before a deputy fired, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

  • Paul Mebane shot himself before deputy fired
  • Deputies responded to Brandon Walmart after reports a suicidal man
  • The deputy who fired placed on administrative leave

Investigators said Saturday preliminary results from the medical examiner’s office showed Paul Mebane, 28, “shot himself an instant before the deputy fired.”

On Friday evening, deputies received reports of a suicidal man at a Walmart in Brandon.

Deputies found Mebane armed outside a Walmart in Brandon. He refused to drop his weapon when approached by deputies, authorities said. That’s when a deputy fired at him.

Three children were found inside a car nearby. The children, ages 4 to 10, were uninjured and take into custody by Child Protective Services.

The deputy who fired at Mebane was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Investigators have not released any additional information about the Mebane or the deputy.