PLANT CITY, Fla. — A driver shot Tuesday during a violent confrontation in Plant City has died.
- Incident started with carjacking attempt near James Redman Parkway
- Man fired at cars, then shot at officer
- Investigation still underway
The same incident ended with an officer-involved shooting that remains under investigation.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the intersection of Colson Road and Tower Ridge Lane just before 1 p.m. after reports of an attempted carjacking.
Deputies determined a man was shot while driving his vehicle along Colton Road. The identity of that man remains unknown.
Just prior to the shooting, 911 dispatchers had received multiple calls from drivers in the same area reporting that a suspect armed with a handgun was attempting to flag down vehicles. There were also reports that the suspect was shooting his gun at other drivers in the area.
The suspect, Jeffrey Darnell Thomas, 27, was ultimately located and shot by a Plant City officer. He was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries, where he remains.
The victim shot during the rampage was flown to Tampa General Hospital where he passed away from his injuries on Tuesday.
Jeffrey Darnell Thomas is facing charges of First Degree Premeditated Murder with a Firearm, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Shooting at or into an Occupied Conveyance or Vehicle and Attempted Armed Carjacking. (Hillsborough County Jail)
It’s unclear what Thomas' motives were for this shooting.
Thomas is facing charges of first degree premeditated murder with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at or into an occupied conveyance or vehicle and two counts of attempted armed carjacking.
More charges are pending as the investigation continues.
While the sheriff's office is investigating the shooting incident involving the dead man, the FDLE is investigating the officer-involved shooting of the suspect.