At 11:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, the Plant City Police Department responded to a non-emergency call for a shoplifting in progress at Lowe's Home Improvement Center at 2801 James L. Redman Parkway.
A white male subject entered the store and removed a knife from its packaging and concealed it on his person, according to the report. After doing so, the suspect attempted to exit the store without paying .
The suspect was confronted by Lowe's Loss Prevention staff. According to PCPD, the suspect reportedly brandished the knife in a threatening manner towards the employees.
The suspect fled the store on foot and ran southwest towards the Parks Springs Apartment complex located at 300 Park Springs Circle. While fleeing with the knife, it is believed the suspect impaled himself in an unknown manner with the knife. After doing so, the suspect continued to flee for a short distance before collapsing behind a building of the apartment complex.
The suspect was taken to an area hospital by Plant City Fire Rescue, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The identity of the suspect is being withheld at this time, pending next of kin notification. This is an active investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Plant City
Police Department at (813) 757-9200.
This story will be updated as more details are released.