A motorist shot during a violent rampage in Plant City on Tuesday afternoon, January 14, has died from his injuries.
Deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office were called to the intersection of Colson Road and Tower Ridge Lane just before 1 p.m. when a family member of the victim called 911 to report that his adult male relative had been shot. Deputies determined the victim was shot while driving his vehicle along Colton Road.
Just prior to the shooting, 911 dispatchers had received multiple calls from drivers in the same area reporting that a black male suspect armed with a handgun was attempting to flag down vehicles. There were also reports that the suspect was shooting his gun at other motorists in the area.
The suspect, Jeffery Darnell Thomas, 27, was ultimately located and shot by a Plant City Police Officer. He was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries, where he remains at this time.
The victim shot during the rampage was flown to Tampa General Hospital where he passed away from his injuries on Tuesday.
It’s unclear what Thomas' motives were for this shooting. He 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 HCSO is investigating the shooting incident involving the deceased victim, the FDLE is investigating the officer-involved shooting of the suspect.
No further information is available.
ARRESTED
NAME: Jeffery Darnell Thomas
AGE: 27
CHARGES: 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 (x2)