Unarmed man fatally shot, then kicked, Florida cops say. Suspect asserts self-defense

An unarmed man was shot multiple times, then kicked as he laid dying, according to investigators in Florida.

But the suspected shooter calls it a case of self-defense.

That defense unraveled after detectives found “no evidence of an escalating altercation” between the two men, the Tampa Police Department said in a news release.

Derrick Smith, 30, is facing a murder charge tied to the shooting, which happened Nov. 21 on Century Park Drive in a Tampa office park, police said.

“Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing Smith shoot the victim multiple times. Smith then reportedly kicked the victim before fleeing the scene,” police said.

“There was no evidence of an escalating altercation between Smith and the victim prior to the shooting. Evidence gathered from the scene also revealed that the victim did not get any closer to Smith than approximately three feet before the gunshots were heard.”

Despite Smith saying it was self-defense, the 32-year-old victim “did not have a weapon on his person or in any of his clothing,” police said. He died at the scene.

The two men were acquaintances who met while “working post-hurricane cleanup,” police said.

Investigators are still trying to determine what put the men at odds.

Detectives found a gun in Smith’s vehicle, police said.

This story was originally published November 25, 2024 at 4:24 AM with the headline "Unarmed man fatally shot, then kicked, Florida cops say. Suspect asserts self-defense."