"Dating Relationship" Ends With Deadly Violence

"TAMPA, FL — A man and a woman were killed in an apparent murder-suicide Monday night in the Westshore area.

"The shooting occurred about 7:47 p.m. near the intersection of Cypress and Occident streets, west of West Shore Boulevard.

"Police have not released the names of the victims, who are both in their 20s. Police said the two were in a `dating relationship.`

"The man struck the woman with his fists, then shot her several times, police said. The man then fled a short distance in his car and shot himself in the head, police said.

"They died after one was taken to Tampa General Hospital and the other to St. Joseph's Hospital.

"`The female was shot first and then the male traveled in his car and came back to the scene,` said Tampa police Lt. Steve Lee, `and we found him with a gunshot wound.`

"Police diverted traffic near the intersection while homicide detectives investigated.

"The scene was dotted with evidence markers. An empty sedan, with the passenger door open, remained in a turn lane on Cypress Street."

From tampabay.com...