TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man allegedly shot his two young children in the head at bedtime, killing one and critically injuring the other, officials said.
According to a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a shooting occurred at a house on Monday after 10:30 p.m. When deputies arrived at the house, they found two children with injuries. Both were taken to the hospital.
The 5-year-old child died at the hospital and the 8-year-old is in critical condition, HCSO said.
HCSO’s Sheriff Chad Chronister told WFLA that the children’s mother had rushed home to tuck them into bed. She kissed them goodnight and went to use the restroom. The children’s father, Jermaine Lavanda Bass, 30, remained in the room with them.
“This is a horrific experience no parent should have to go through,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a news release. “This is an experience no law enforcement or first responder should ever have to witness. We as a sheriff’s office are struggling today. I hope that this individual feels the full weight of the criminal justice system and never sees the light of day where he can ever be in a position to harm another human being.”
The mother told investigators that she heard multiple gunshots from the bathroom and ran outside to use a neighbor’s phone to call 911, according to WFLA. Bass then allegedly ran out of the house with the 8-year-old in his arms and asked for help.
Chronister told WFLA that Bass was holding the child when they arrived and told deputies that gun went off and he accidentally shot his son. Deputies asked if anyone else was inside the house and Bass told them that his daughter was in there. Deputies went to her room and found her lying on a top bunk bed covered in blood.
According to WFLA, Chronister said the children were both shot in the head two or three times.
Bass was arrested on multiple charges including first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm, first-degree premeditated attempted murder with a firearm and aggravated child abuse firearm causing critical injuries, HCSO said.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information has been released. HCSO said that everyone involved in this case has been accounted for.