On August 25, 2015, Scott Tomlinson, aged 51, was found dead in his home in Thonotosassa, Florida. The tragic incident involved a domestic dispute between Scott and his older brother, Todd Tomlinson, aged 53. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance at Scott's residence on Smoken Gun Lane. Upon arrival, deputies encountered Todd Tomlinson in the driveway, armed with a handgun.
Despite commands to drop the weapon, Todd raised the gun towards the deputies, prompting them to open fire, resulting in Todd's death at the scene.
Inside the house, deputies discovered Scott Tomlinson's body near the kitchen, with multiple gunshot wounds. The exact circumstances leading to the shooting between the brothers remain unclear, as there were no witnesses present during the altercation. Authorities have identified Todd Tomlinson as the primary suspect in his brother's death.
The Tomlinson brothers co-owned a successful business, Tomlinson Brothers Plastering Inc., and were well-known in the local community. The incident shocked neighbors and friends, who described the brothers as hardworking and dedicated individuals. Despite occasional arguments, no one anticipated such a violent outcome.
Following the incident, the deputies involved were placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The investigation into the deaths of Scott and Todd Tomlinson concluded that Todd was responsible for Scott's death before being fatally shot by deputies.
