In a tragic incident on Saturday night, a family of three was killed and a Hillsborough County deputy was injured during a shootout in Tampa. The disturbing events unfolded when officials received a distressing call from a woman stating that her son had a gun and her husband had been shot.

The shooter, identified as 19-year-old Christos Alexander, was found outside the residence with his mother when authorities arrived at the scene on Cactus Wren Place. Body camera footage released by the sheriff's office captured the intense moments as the deputy urgently directed the mother to exit the house while cautioning Alexander to keep his hands up and not reach for his weapon.

According to law enforcement, Alexander shot his mother in the back of the head and opened fire on 26-year-old Deputy Shane McGough. In response, five deputies fired back at the suspect. Despite being injured, Alexander retreated back into the house and barricaded himself inside.

A SWAT team, crisis negotiators, and a robot were deployed to assist in resolving the situation safely. Using the robot, deputies were able to access the home through the front door. Upon entering, they discovered the lifeless body of the father before finding Alexander deceased in another room.

Sheriff Chad Chronister commended the deputies for their swift and courageous actions, emphasizing their dedication to saving lives. Deputy McGough, who suffered a gunshot wound to his leg, underwent surgery to remove the bullet and had a rod inserted. He is expected to make a full recovery within three months.

Chronister revealed that Alexander had been living with his parents and that deputies had responded to the residence 10 times prior to the fatal shooting, mostly related to mental health concerns and instances of violence against his parents. Notably, there was an active risk protection order against Alexander, which resulted in the seizure of his firearms. Investigators are currently working to determine how he obtained the gun used in the incident.

Describing the nature of the incident, Sheriff Chronister referred to Alexander as a "monster" responsible for the deaths of his mother and father. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation into the tragedy.

The other four deputies involved in the shootout were identified as Deputy Brandon Schade, Deputy Richard Ziegler, Deputy Bjar Atkins, and Deputy Ciara Moncada. Prior to this incident, none of the deputies had used deadly force.

Sheriff Chronister urged the community to keep Deputy McGough and his family in their thoughts and prayers as he recovers from surgery. The tragic events have sparked shock and fear within the community, but the swift response of the deputies is credited for mitigating the threat.

As details continue to emerge, authorities hope to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident. It stands as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in their efforts to protect communities from violence and the importance of addressing mental health concerns.