FDLE investigating after man threatened to drive into Tampa FDOT building
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over an investigation where a man threatened to drive into a Florida Department of Transportation building before fatally shooting himself.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said officers responded to FDOT on MckKnley Drive around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Bercaw said an FDOT receptionist took a call from a man in the parking lot saying he had a bomb and planned to drive into the building.
Man with weapons, gas tanks in car threatened to drive into FDOT building in Tampa, police say
“The FDOT employee was very excellent in de-escalating the situation and remaining calm until our officers got here, he was able to prevent something from happening,” Bercaw said.
When officers tried to approach the man, the Chief said the man fatally shot himself.
According to Bercaw, the man was in his 60s. It’s unclear what led him to the FDOT office.
Intervention Specialists at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay try to help people during mental breakdowns, and learning a person’s story can be a huge help.
“If they tell you their story, they are going to give you the methods that you need after you deescalate them to keep them safe,” said Eric Bledsoe, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
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