Tampa mom, child killed after suspect wanted to watch football on TV, documents say

TAMPA (FOX 13) - The murders of a Tampa mother and her 10-year-old son stemmed from an argument over changing a television channel, according to court documents.

Hillsborough County deputies arrested 42-year-old Tyrone Terell Johnson after receiving a 911 call from him claiming he was being attacked, they said. Deputies responded to 4302 Mariners Cove Court in Tampa before 7 p.m. Sunday and found the victims inside the apartment. The mother is Johnson's live-in girlfriend and investigator said he is not the biological father of the deceased child.

Deputies interviewed Johnson, who said the following events led up the deadly shooting:

(Johnson) engaged in a verbal altercation with his live-in girlfriend over (Johnson) changing the television station to watch a football game. (Johnson) moved to the master bedroom of the apartment because he wanted to pack his belongings and leave. (He) has trouble walking because of an injury incurred while in the military. (He) began packing his clothing when (the female victim) came into the bedroom, continuing to verbally berate him.

(She) allegedly was "tussling" at (Johnson's) back. (He) claimed (she) pushed him off of his "knee roller" and he sat down on the floor next to the bed. (Her 10-year-old son) approached (Johnson) and accused him of hitting (his mother).

(Johnson) pushed (the child) off of his left side...and then armed himself with what he described as a Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun. (Johnson) then began to fire at (the female victim) as she was holding a Playstation in her hands.

Johnson added that the child exited, then re-entered the bedroom after the initial shooting, according to his affidavit. When the child entered the master bedroom, he fired the handgun at the child, deputies said.

Investigators said there was contradictory evidence showing there was gunfire and blood in the child's bedroom.

There was a history of domestic violence at the home, officials said. Two 911 calls were made earlier this year, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, but Johnson was not involved in the prior incidents. Deputies said he was living with the mother and son for about a year.

A neighbor tells FOX 13 that it’s shocking it happened to the victims. Her daughter played with the youngest victim.

“She lost a friend so close to home. She don’t know why this happened,” she explained. “If you felt like you had a problem, don’t take it out on the kids. I think that is the saddest thing that can happen to this family.”

Johnson faces several charges including murder and aggravated child abuse. The identities of the victims have not been released.