A suspect who shot at a deputy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is now facing several charges, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. Ma'at Lee, 20, is also believed to be linked to other criminal acts prior to the shooting.
Around 10:30 p.m. on October 27, 2021, an armed robbery occurred at the Lakes of Brandon West Apartments located at 1012 Balaye Vista Circle. The victim was held at gunpoint while several items were stolen, including a firearm and a credit card. The credit card was later used to attempt to send $100 to a "Maat Lee." The same day, around 11:30 p.m., an armed carjacking took place on a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee in a Dave and Buster's parking lot located at 10209 Estuary Lakes Drive in Brandon, about half a mile from the scene of the prior robbery. The suspect, Ma'at Lee, exited his Honda Sedan and demanded the victim's keys and phone, later taking off in the Jeep. A getaway driver, who has not yet been identified, drove off in the Honda Sedan.
On October 31, just before 5 a.m., Deputy Geovanny Rodriguez located a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee entering the parking lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13510 N 42nd Street in Tampa. The lights were turned off on the vehicle. Once Deputy Rodriguez turned on the lights of his marked patrol car, the Jeep began to exit the parking lot. Deputy Rodriguez, who noticed the Jeep did not have a license plate, followed the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop near N 43rd Street and Skipper Road. With his emergency lights activated, Deputy Rodriguez attempted to instruct the driver to pull over. While waiting for backup, the driver pointed a firearm at Deputy Rodriguez, firing multiple gunshots towards him and striking his patrol vehicle multiple times. Deputy Rodriguez returned gunfire as the driver fled on foot.
Through investigative means, detectives were able to link Ma'at Lee to the shooting. He was also later identified by the victim of the carjacking. After obtaining a court-authorized arrest warrant for the carjacking incident, Lee was located and arrested by detectives on Tuesday, November 2, near Hellenic Drive and 42nd Street. Lee's Honda Sedan, with an empty firearm holster in the passenger seat, was also located in the area. A court-authorized search warrant of Lee's residence led detectives to locate two firearms. An investigation is ongoing to determine if either weapon was used in the deputy-involved shooting.
Lee faces charges of armed robbery with a firearm, grand theft (firearm), armed carjacking, and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. Additional charges with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) could follow related to the carjacking and robbery.
Lee will also face charges in Cobb County, Georgia, related to a separate incident. On October 21, Lee was involved in another armed robbery in which the stolen items, a Bluetooth speaker and a credit card, were located by HCSO detectives inside the Honda Sedan.
"The diligent and focused work on this case by our detectives is without question what led to the capture of this dangerous individual," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I am very thankful that our deputy was not injured by Ma'at Lee's aggressive and intentional attempts to kill him. I thank God that we live in a community where they love their law enforcement. Let me assure you that this Sheriff and this community will not tolerate anyone shooting at any of our law enforcement in Hillsborough County. I will work diligently to make sure that this individual will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and that he will not have the opportunity to victimize another individual in our community."
A link to a video from the shooting incident can be viewed below, including a nearby Ring doorbell camera and the body camera of Deputy Rodriguez.