On June 15, 2024, a tragic and violent incident occurred in Tampa, Florida, resulting in the death of Rebecca Ann Themelis, 48, along with her husband and their son.
The events unfolded when Rebecca Ann Themelis called 911 to report that her husband, Christos Byron Themelis, 51, 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.
Deputies were immediately dispatched to the residence in the 14000 block of Cactus Wren Place.
Upon arrival, deputies encountered Rebecca Ann Themelis and her son, Christos Alexander Themelis Jr., 19, outside the home. In a shocking turn of events, Christos Themelis Jr. fatally shot his mother in the back of the head. Deputy Shane McGough, who was among the responding officers, attempted to intervene, pleading with Rebecca Themelis to move away from her son. However, it was too late, and she was shot before the deputies could protect her.
Following the shooting of his mother, Christos Themelis Jr. turned his weapon on the law enforcement officers, opening fire and wounding Deputy Shane McGough in the leg. Five deputies, including McGough, returned fire, and Themelis Jr. retreated into the home, where he barricaded himself. The HCSO's SWAT Team, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, and Crisis Negotiation Team were called to the scene to assist.
Ultimately, when the specialty units entered the home, they found Christos Themelis Jr. dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The swift and decisive action of the deputies was credited with mitigating the threat to the community, although the incident resulted in the tragic loss of two lives and the injury of a deputy.
Sheriff Chad Chronister described the situation as chaotic and praised the deputies for their quick and skillful response, which prevented further danger to the neighborhood. Deputy McGough underwent surgery to remove the bullet from his leg and was expected to make a full recovery within three months.
