A Brandon man is facing charges including attempted second-degree murder after deputies say he shot a door-to-door solicitor in his neighborhood on Wednesday.
The shooting was reported about 8 p.m. at the Providence Townhomes near Fluorshire Drive, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. When deputies arrived, they found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his lower body. He was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Detectives learned that the man had been soliciting telecommunication products and services when Reginald McGee, 38, became “verbally aggressive” toward his female co-worker. The man and the woman were walking away when McGee “physically attacked” the man, the news release states.
“During the attack, McGee reached into his waistband, pulled out a firearm, and began shooting at the victim,” the news release states. “As the victim ran, McGee chased him, and continued shooting him until he ran out of ammunition.”
McGee then returned to his home. When deputies arrived, he came out of the house armed with a gun and was taken into custody.
In addition to the attempted murder charge, McGee faces charges of aggravated battery and discharging a firearm in public. Records show he was being held Friday at the Falkenburg Road Jail without bond. Prosecutors have filed a motion seeking to keep him jailed until trial.
“This was a completely unnecessary escalation that left a man seriously injured simply for doing his job,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the news release. “When a disagreement turns into gunfire, that is a choice, and it is a criminal one. Our deputies acted quickly to take this suspect into custody, giving residents in this neighborhood peace of mind and preventing further harm.”
