Tampa shooting suspect dies by suicide after three-hour standoff

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A shooting suspect in Tampa reportedly died by suicide Tuesday after a standoff with police that lasted more than three hours.

The shooting was reported a few days earlier, on Friday, November 1. Tampa police said a man in his early 60s was found near East Hillsborough Avenue with a gunshot wound to his chest.

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The man was taken to a local hospital, where he received medical treatment and ultimately survived his injuries, police said.

As of Wednesday, November 6, the man was still in hospital and recovering. In an interview with investigators, the man reportedly told them he did not know who shot him or why.

However, as they gathered evidence, a suspect – 28-year-old Michael Shaheen – was identified, along with the vehicle he may have been driving.

A court warrant was then obtained to search Shaheen’s silver 2007 Honda, officials said.

Officers were monitoring the Honda on the evening of Tuesday, November 5, when they saw Shaheen getting into the car.

Authorities say Shaheen drove away from his home on East 20th Street, but then turned back and pulled into the driveway.

Police then attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but said Shaheen “refused to exit the vehicle after multiple commands to do so.”

The Tampa Police Department’s SWAT team was activated and reportedly attempted to negotiate with Shaheen for more than three hours. Still, authorities said Shaheen remained barricaded in his car.

Shaheen eventually stopped communicating with SWAT team members, and when they approached the vehicle, authorities said they found Shaheen with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

Tampa Fire Rescue took Shaheen to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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