Suspect found dead after shootout with police, standoff at Tampa apartment complex

TAMPA, Fla. - A suspect is dead after a shootout and a standoff at an apartment complex on Thursday, according to Tampa police.

The scene unfolded at the Meridian Pointe Apartments off E. Hillsborough Ave. between 22nd St. and 30th St.

Police Chief Lee Bercaw said officers were following up on a previous case around 3:30 p.m. when they learned the suspect in that case was in the complex.

When officers found the suspect, he ran and fired his pistol at police, Bercaw said. The officers returned fire and were not hit.

The suspect then ran into an apartment with several people inside, all of whom escaped unharmed.

Hostage negotiators and SWAT units were outside the building for about 90 minutes before finding the suspect dead inside the apartment. 

"This was a very dangerous situation," Bercaw said. "There [were] a ton of kids and families out there. I can just say that thank goodness everybody in this situation didn't get in a worse situation."

Police have not released the suspect's name, only describing him as a "young adult male." Officials also haven't confirmed if the suspect, who was found inside a bedroom closet, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or shots from police. 

Bercaw also declined to release further details on the previous incident, citing the ongoing investigation.

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