A Florida teenager tragically lost his life in a shootout on Saturday night after fatally shooting both of his parents and injuring a deputy, as reported by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred just after 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, when deputies responded to a home in Tampa following reports of a shooting. The caller, identified as Rebecca Ann Themelis, 48, informed the dispatch center that her husband, Christos Byron Themelis, 51, had been shot. During the call, more shots were heard. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies found the suspect, Christos Alexander Themelis Jr., 19, and Rebecca Themelis outside the home.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed concern over how a teenager who was considered “mentally unfit” was able to access firearms that he used to commit such a heinous act. The suspect shot his mother in the back of the head and subsequently opened fire on law enforcement officers, injuring one deputy in the leg. Sheriff Chronister commended the deputies for their swift response in a dangerous situation that could have endangered the entire neighborhood.
The teen barricaded himself inside the home and later succumbed to his injuries, while the injured deputy was reported to be in stable condition. The investigation into the tragic incident is ongoing. Prior to the fatal shooting, deputies had been called to the home on 10 occasions, mainly for issues related to mental health and violence against the suspect’s parents. A risk protection order had been issued against the 19-year-old, leading deputies to confiscate his firearms. Authorities are now working to determine how he obtained the gun used in the shooting, given his mental health status.
Sheriff Chronister emphasized that regardless of the underlying reasons, causing harm to another individual is never acceptable. The motive behind the violent actions of the teenager may never be fully understood, but the sheriff stressed that such behavior is unequivocally wrong.
This tragic incident underscores the importance of mental health awareness and access to proper support services for individuals in need. It also highlights the significance of enforcing existing laws and protective measures to prevent such deadly outcomes. As the community mourns the loss of two lives and prays for the recovery of the injured deputy, it serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked violence and mental health issues.