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HCSO INVESTIGATES INCIDENT RESULTING IN THREE DECEASED; ONE DEPUTY INJURED

For Immediate Release : Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Release Number: 24-120

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HCSO INVESTIGATES INCIDENT RESULTING IN THREE DECEASED; ONE DEPUTY INJURED

Update: June 16th, 4:30 p.m.:

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is releasing footage from last night's scene in Tampa. The body-camera video is from Deputy Shane McGough, the deputy who sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.

"To see this situation unfold is truly scary," said Sheriff Chronister. "There is no doubt that the swift response of our deputies mitigated the threat for this community. Please keep Deputy McGough and his family in your prayers as he recovers from surgery this morning."


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Update: June 16th, 1 p.m.:

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has identified the three deceased in last night’s shooting.

- Christos Byron Themelis
  • DOB: December 27, 1972
  • Age: 51

- Rebecca Ann Themelis

  • DOB: August 5, 1975
  • Age: 48

- Christos Alexander Themelis, Jr.

  • DOB: September 19, 2004
  • Age: 19

Deputy McGough underwent surgery this morning to remove the bullet from his leg. A rod was also inserted and the surgeons deemed the procedure successful.

Sheriff Chronister provided an update this morning on his condition:

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Update: June 16th, 4:15 a.m.:

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating the circumstances that resulted in a suspect fatally shooting his parents and injuring one deputy.

On Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 11:09 p.m., deputies responded to the 14000 block of Cactus Wren Place in Tampa to the report of a shooting.

The caller stated her husband had just been shot. While on the phone with the HCSO dispatch center, several more shots were fired.

Upon arrival, deputies encountered the caller and suspect outside of the residence. The suspect, Christos Alexander Themelis, Jr., 19, then shot his mother, the caller, and turned fired towards deputies.

Five deputies returned fire, deploying their service weapons, causing Themelis, Jr., to retreat into his home.

HCSO's SWAT Team, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, and Crisis Negotiation Team were called to assist.

"The monster we encountered this evening is responsible for not only injuring our deputy but also killing his own mother and father," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Our deputies responded to a chaotic scene and immediately put themselves in harm's way to protect our community. Without our deputy's quick and skillful response, an entire neighborhood would have been in danger."

When specialty units entered the home, they discovered Alexander had succumbed to his injuries.

The five deputies involved in this incident are:

  • Deputy Shane McGough, 26,

    • Two years of service

  • Deputy Brandon Schade,  26

    • One year of service

  • Deputy Richard Ziegler, 33

    • Nine years of service

  • Deputy Bjar Atkins, 38

    • 13 years of service

  • Deputy Ciara Moncada, 34

    • Two years of service

None of the deputies involved have any prior uses of deadly force.

McGough is currently in stable condition.

In accordance with HCSO policy, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.

This investigation is ongoing; any updates will come from the Public Affairs Office.

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Update: June 16th, 1:50 a.m.:

The situation has been resolved. Sheriff Chad Chronister is on scene and will provide an update to the media at 2:30 a.m.

Media planning to attend should stage on Ehrlich Road and Farmington Blvd.

This in an active investigation and any update will come from the Public Affairs Office.

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Original: June 16th, 1:17 a.m.:

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is scene of a barricaded subject, one deputy has been shot and is receiving medical care at a nearby trauma center. SWAT, Crisis Negotiations and Explosive Ordinance Teams are on scene. Please avoid the area of Ehrlich Road and Farmington Boulevard.

Media planning to attend should stage on Ehrlich Road, just west of Farmington Blvd.

The Public Affairs Office is on scene and will provide an update when available.