TAMPA, FLORIDA: An armed Florida father lost his life in a police encounter after he fatally stabbed the mother of his children 13 times. In a hair-raising clip, the suspect, Michael A Bresnahan, 33, was seen crashing an SUV and shooting the authorities, who opened fire in return, showering the vehicle in a barrage of bullets.
The authorities who tracked Bresnahan in a police helicopter also tried to use spike strips to stop the vehicle but he successfully drove around them. According to the local media, bodycam footage shows how 18 police officers returned fire. Although several onlookers were present at the scene during that time, none of them were injured. No casualties were also reported among the police officers.
Who was Michael A Bresnahan?
Michael A Bresnahan stabbed the mother of his young children, Crystal Bresnahan, 13 times. According to Mirror, police said that he stabbed her in front of the children and left her bleeding. She is in hospital undergoing medical treatment and is in stable condition now. A Go Fund Me page has been set up for her.
Bresnahan also tried to flee the scene with his children following the stabbing but he dropped them off at his brother's house. He stole an AK-47 assault rifle which belonged to his brother and led police on a wild chase in the black SUV through Tampa, Florida. Bresnahan died with police claiming they believe it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound that killed him. The authorities are probing the police-involved shooting but local media reported that are being hailed as heroes.
A witness speaks about the shooting
Sabrina Turner, a mother of six was driving to work hospital when she found herself in the center of the deadly encounter. "I'm going to die. I'm going to die. I just knew I was going to get shot. I just didn't know where", she told the outlet. "I just kind of hunched down, and tried and take cover. I felt like I was going to get hit by one of the bullets."
However, she escaped alive and praised the Tampa authorities who she said pulled her from her car to safety. "I can't even express my gratitude", she said.
Tampa Police Department issues a statement
"Tampa Police have positively identified Michael A Bresnahan, a white male (DOB: 10/22/1989), as the armed suspect who was killed during an officer-involved shooting on July 17", the Tampa Police Department said in a statement on July 19. "After responding to the report of an adult female being stabbed, Tampa Police officers spotted the suspect vehicle. When the driver, later identified as Bresnahan, pointed an AK-47 at officers, they engaged in a pursuit. Body-worn camera and aviation footage show the suspect failing to stop his vehicle, driving erratically, crashing through fences, and avoiding stop-sticks, before crashing into a car of innocent community members."
The statement continued, "Immediately after the crash, evidence indicates gunshots were fired from Bresnahan's car. Eighteen Tampa Police Officers discharged their weapons in response, believing Bresnahan posed an ongoing threat of imminent danger to additional community members and police officers. Bresnahan appears to have died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot; however, final autopsy results are pending."
The authorities added, "The involved officers are currently on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure. This remains an active FDLE investigation, which is also standard procedure for any officer-involved shooting. The adult female, who was stabbed thirteen (13) times, remains in the hospital and is currently listed in stable condition."
"Our hopes are for a full and rapid recovery for the victim who has survived such unimaginable trauma", said Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "Our Victims Advocate will be working tirelessly to ensure that this woman and her children are connected with the resources they may need to recover from this life-altering event."
