NEW TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office investigators are asking for information from the public to help find the person, or persons, responsible for the shooting death of a man near the intersection of Regents Park Drive and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

A Sheriff's Office spokesperson said deputies received a call just before 3 p.m. about a man found dead on Regents Park Drive with multiple gunshot wounds. Detectives say they are still working to piece together what led up to the shooting.

What You Need To Know

  • The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal shooting that took place near the intersection of Regents Park Drive and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in New Tampa

  • Investigators say the homicide victim was found shot to death just before 3 p.m. Monday

  • They said the man, who has not been identified, died of multiple gunshot wounds

People who live and work nearby told Spectrum News they heard the shooting happen.

"I heard a bunch of pops, and then I came out here because my neighbor called me and said, 'Hey, there's a bunch of cops on Bruce B. Downs,'" said Lakeview Villas resident Peggy Junco-Collings.

Regents Park Drive was closed from the entrance of Lakeview Villas to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard as detectives investigated the shooting Monday.

La Petite Academy, which offers daycare, preschool, and other programming for children, is across the street from the entrance to Lakeview Villas.

"It was nerve-wracking," said parent Serena Hamelin after picking up her 1-year-old son. 

While La Petite was not involved in the shooting, Hamelin and fellow parent Marielle Bellamy said the academy reached out via email and text to let parents know what was going on and keep them updated on the situation.

They both said it was unsettling that the shooting happened so close to homes and businesses.

"I think that's pretty scary, a little bit, because there's a lot of neighborhoods and kids coming out," said Bellamy.

"This is a lot of people, a lot of family, a lot of community around here," Hamelin said of the area. "So, freaks you out ... especially with my little one."

Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen something in the area of Regents Park Drive and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard around the time of the shooting to contact the Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses can call the Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 813-247-8200, or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-TIPS or via the organization's website.