A Tampa Police officer is recovering after being shot outside the department’s District Two office on Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred shortly after 8:15 a.m. at 9330 N 30th St., according to police reports. Master Police Officer Jordan Laupert sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. Officers and Tampa Fire Rescue applied a tourniquet before transporting him to a hospital.
Police say the suspect, described as a 21-year-old Black male, arrived at the District Two Office just before the shooting. After leaving the building, he walked along N 30th St., where Officer Laupert began talking with him through a fence in what appeared to be a cordial conversation. As Laupert started to walk away, the suspect fired at him and fled.
The suspect was later located near Busch Gardens with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities believe he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the shooting. His identity has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw commented on the outcome: “As a community, we are all incredibly fortunate that MPO Laupert, a guardian of our city, was not taken from us today after being shot,” said Bercaw. “Had it not been for the training, quick action, and life-saving efforts of his fellow officers and the men and women of Tampa Fire Rescue, this could have resulted in a very different outcome.”
Officer Laupert, 40, has served with Tampa Police since May 2015. He is currently assigned as a School Resource Officer at Hillsborough High School but was temporarily working uniform street patrol during summer break.
Detectives continue to investigate and have not determined the motive behind the shooting. The case is not classified as an officer-involved shooting or an in-custody death. Bodyworn camera footage will be released when available.
Authorities ask for community support for Officer Laupert and his family as he recovers.
