On October 20, 2023, Jason Alex Layman, a 52-year-old man, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the campus of Farnell Middle School in Tampa, Florida. The incident occurred when Layman drove to the area where students are dropped off by bus and by their parents. As he approached the school building, he took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to calls about the shooting and found Layman's body in the back part of the school. Two students who were in the vicinity witnessed the incident and immediately ran to the school office to inform the staff. Using the CENTEGIX System, the school was placed on immediate lockdown to ensure the safety of the students.
Layman was identified as the ex-husband of a teacher at Farnell Middle School, but he did not attempt to enter the school at any point. The school lockdown was lifted once it was determined that no children were in danger.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office continued to process the scene and worked with Hillsborough County Public Schools and school security to ensure the well-being of the students and to notify parents about the incident. Layman's family was notified of his death, and further updates were to be released by the Public Affairs Office as the investigation progressed.
