TAMPA, FL (January 27, 2025) – – On January 26, 2025, the suspect, now identified as 48-year-old Jeremiah Bailey (white male, 7/19/1976), engaged in a series of escalating incidents that started being reported to Tampa Police at 8:35 pm. Bailey, who was also believed to be armed and dangerous, struck multiple pedestrians with his car at different south Tampa locations, injuring three and killing one. None of the victims were familiar with Bailey.
Bailey, who has an extensive criminal history including Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, Battery on an EMT, and Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, was released from Florida State Prison in October, 2022.
Bailey’s actions resulted in multiple crime scenes, each with concurrent investigations being conducted. As each investigation remains active in its early stages, the following information is preliminary and based on the status of each investigation. Video captured by the Tampa Police Aviation Unit and by Tampa Police Officer Body-Worn Camera is being released showing the PIT maneuver and subsequent officer-involved shooting.
“This video shows the heroic efforts these Tampa Police Officers took to stop an ongoing and committed threat to our community,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “Our thoughts remain with those affected by these heinous acts and our Victim Advocate will work closely with each of them to ensure they are connected with the resources they may need.”
The events began with a dispute at a Dollar General store, where Bailey intentionally blocked 47-year-old Eric Archield’s vehicle in the parking lot. After a brief verbal argument, Bailey moved his car, and Archield was able to leave.
Bailey followed Archield to a friend’s residence near W. Meadow St and S. MacDill Ave, where he struck Archield with his car. Archield’s friend intervened, firing a gun to stop Bailey, who then fled the area. Archield suffered minor injuries from being struck by the mirror of Bailey’s car and was treated at the scene by Tampa Fire Rescue.
Continuing his erratic behavior, Bailey drove northbound on MacDill Ave near Interbay Bl. Multiple witnesses saw the white Honda begin to enter the Mobil Gas Station in the 6100 block of MacDill Ave, and then abruptly conduct a U-turn back onto northbound MacDill Ave. The Honda then left the roadway and appeared to intentionally strike 43-year-old Jesse Rickett, causing serious head injuries. Rickett was transported to the hospital where he remains listed in critical, but stable, condition.
Bailey then intentionally struck and tragically killed an adult Hispanic male who was walking in the 5800 block of Interbay Blvd. Detectives are actively working to positively identify the man and notify his next of kin.
Within minutes of this tragic murder, a Tampa Police Officer spotted the Honda stopped in the middle of the 3100 block of Wyoming Ave, where Bailey was at the rear of the car removing a bicycle from the trunk. The officer quickly exited his police vehicle, ordering Bailey to stop. However, Bailey discarded the bike, ran back into the car, and fled at a high rate of speed.
Officers combed the area searching for Bailey.
Before officers could locate him, Bailey struck 41-year-old Timothy Harden, who was crossing the street at West Shore Bl and Lemon St. with his wife, who called 911. She informed the dispatcher that “this car jumped over the curb and swerved to hit him!” Harden, who thankfully was conscious and alert at the scene, was taken to the hospital for evaluation. His wife was fortunately not injured.
Officers quickly spotted the white Honda returning to the area and initiated a pursuit that led onto I275 northbound. Officers performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to stop Bailey. After multiple commands to show his hands, Bailey appeared to reach for something. Officers, believing their lives were in imminent danger, fired their weapons. Bailey was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. No firearm was found on the suspect or in his car as of this release; however, officers are still conducting searches of the areas of travel.
Seven Tampa Police Officers fired their weapons. They have been identified as:
- Officer Algenis Maceo, Hispanic male, 8+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Jacob Petit, white male, 7+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Andrew Haase, white male, 5+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Bryan Velazquez, Hispanic male, 5+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Erik Lopez, Hispanic male, 4+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Santiago Alzate-Castro, Hispanic male, 2+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Nathan Berry, white male, 1 year with Tampa Police
The three Tampa Police Officers who sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident, were transported to the hospital for treatment. Each suffered wounds that currently appear to be consistent with a ricochet or debris, and not from a direct gunshot.
The injured officers have been identified as:
- Sergeant Joe Ltief, white male, 10+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Rachel Carr, white female, 5+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Joseph Barry, white male, 4 years with Tampa Police
They have since been treated and released from the hospital.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement continues their investigation into the officer-involved shooting, and the involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, both of which are standard procedure for the Tampa Police Department.
Tampa Police Detectives continue to investigate each hit and run injury and fatality, as they also work to determine what led to Bailey’s actions.
Updates can be provided as each investigation proceeds.
[Note correction: Bailey was listed as 47 years of age in the original release]