Reserve officer shoots man who threatened police, reached into his pocket: TPD

TPD reserve officer shoots man who threatened police

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now taking over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting outside Sparkman Wharf Saturday night.

Video surveillance of Channelside shooting

TPD released surveillance video captured from the Hart Trolley showing the incident that surrounded a shooting involving a reserve outside Sparkman Wharf on Saturday, Dec. 28, after the man threatened police (Courtesy: Hart Trolley & TPD).

TAMPA, Fla. - A reserve officer shot a man outside Sparkman Wharf on Saturday night after the man threatened police, then reached into his pocket, according to the Tampa Police Department.

It happened shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday in the 600 block of Channelside Drive, two blocks away from a Lightning game at Amalie Arena.

TPD's preliminary investigation shows Reserve Officer Shelby Riggs-Hopkins fired three shots at Jaquan Thomas, 38. Thomas was rushed to the hospital in critical, but stable condition.

A reserve officer shot a man outside Sparkman Wharf on Saturday night after the man threatened police, then reached for a gun, according to the Tampa Police Department.

A reserve officer shot a man outside Sparkman Wharf on Saturday night after the man threatened police, then reached into his pocket, according to the Tampa Police Department.

TPD reserve officers are volunteer employees tasked as personnel for events and emergencies. According to TPD, these officers do not wear body cameras.

Riggs-Hopkins and her partner, Paul "Spike" Hopkins, who did not fire his weapon, joined TPD in July 2023.

Both have prior law enforcement experience.

Both reserve officers are on administrative leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates, which is standard procedure.

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