On Saturday, June 15, 2024, at approximately 11:09 p.m., a tragic and violent incident occurred at a residence in the 14000 block of Cactus Wren Place in Tampa, Florida. Christos Byron Themelis, 51, was fatally shot by his son, Christos Alexander Themelis Jr., 19.
The incident began when Rebecca Ann Themelis, Christos Byron Themelis's wife and the mother of the suspect, called 911 to report that her husband had just been shot.
While she was still on the phone with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) dispatch center, several more shots were fired. Upon arrival, deputies encountered Rebecca Ann Themelis and the suspect outside the residence. The suspect then shot his mother and turned his firearm towards the deputies, shooting Deputy Shane McGough in the leg.
In response to the suspect's actions, five deputies returned fire, causing Christos Alexander Themelis Jr. to retreat into the home. The HCSO deployed its SWAT team, Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, and Crisis Negotiation team to assist at the scene. Eventually, when these specialty units entered the home, they found Christos Alexander Themelis Jr. dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Christos Byron Themelis and his wife, Rebecca Ann Themelis, 48, were both killed by their son during this incident. Deputy Shane McGough, who was injured in the shootout, underwent surgery the following morning to remove the bullet from his leg and had a rod inserted. The surgery was deemed successful, and he was released from the hospital on Monday.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with a particular focus on how Christos Alexander Themelis Jr. gained access to firearms despite an active risk protection order being in place and his firearms having been seized in March. Sheriff Chad Chronister praised the swift and skillful response of the deputies, stating that their actions mitigated the threat to the community and prevented further danger.
