LITHIA, Fla. — Hillsborough County deputies are searching for a suspect after a home invasion in Lithia.
- Suspect shot, killed during home invasion in Lithia
- Other suspect ran off, being sought
- Deputies said they do not believe this was random
The suspect being sought is one of two that broke into a home Wednesday night in the 100 block of Old Welcome Road. The other suspect was shot and killed by one of the homeowners, authorities said.
According to authorities, deputies responded to a 911 call just after 9 p.m.
When they arrived, they found one suspect dead in a ditch on the side of the road and the other suspect was gone.
The homeowners, a man and a woman, said two men broke into their home, making demands.
Deputies said the man and woman said the suspects attacked the man, pistol whipping him and beating him. That's when the woman retrieved a gun and fired a shot, hitting one of the suspects, deputies said.
The suspects ran out the home, with the wounded man falling into a ditch nearby. That's where deputy found him.
"I would encourage if any of the neighbors see any suspicious vehicles or anybody walking around the neighborhood that they do not recognize to please call 911," said Major Frank Losat with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. "Do not approach this person as they might be armed if any vehicles are sitting in your driveway that does not look familiar please call us."
Investigators said they do not believe the break-in was a random home invasion.
Anyone with information in this case is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200.