The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested two men after deputies quickly located a vehicle connected to a shooting reported early Saturday morning in Ruskin.
On March 14, 2026, at 2:14 a.m., our 911 Dispatch Center received a call reporting a shooting near 5290 Cockroach Bay Road. The victims reported that a red vehicle drove by and fired multiple rounds toward their RV, which they were sleeping in.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they located multiple spent shell casings and additional evidence consistent with a shooting in the area.
Deputies soon located a vehicle matching the description traveling eastbound from the scene and conducted a traffic stop. Deputies saw evidence consistent with a discharged firearm inside the vehicle.
The driver, Dustin Wise, 33, admitted to discharging multiple rounds into the air. He was arrested and is facing one count of Discharge of a Firearm from a Vehicle (Occupant).
The passenger, Christopher Kickliter, 50, admitted to possessing and loading the firearm and firing it, despite being a convicted felon currently on probation until 2027. He was arrested and charged with:
- Shooting at, Within, or Into a Vehicle
- Felon in Possession of Ammunition
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Discharge of a Firearm from a Vehicle (Occupant)
- VOP Burglary, Armed With Explosive or Weapon
- VOP 1st Degree Murder/Premeditated or Attempted
- VOP Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement Officer/Firefighter/EMS (x4)
- VOP Fleeing to Elude Law Enforcement at High Speed, No Regard
Kickliter previously served 20 years in prison for two counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Aggravated Fleeing to Elude.
“This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have had a much different outcome,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “These individuals showed a reckless disregard for human life. Thanks to the swift response of our deputies, they were quickly located and taken into custody.”
No injuries were reported in this incident.
The investigation remains ongoing. Any updates will come from the Public Affairs Office.
