A Tampa police officer shot early Monday while attempting to serve a warrant is out of the hospital and is recovering.

  • TPD officer Richard Lehr shot serving warrant
  • Lehr in good condition, released from hospital
  • Suspect Walter Jeziorski in custody

The shooting suspect is in custody, and authorities said he has a violent background.

According to Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, the injured officer, Richard Lehr, is a 10-year veteran of the department.

The incident occurred just after 2:30 a.m. at the Hubert Avenue Villa Apartments in the 4600 block of North Hubert Avenue. Dugan said while the officers were at the home, the suspect, 35-year-old Walter Jeziorski, opened fire on the officers. 

Seven shots were fired at the officers, Dugan said. Lehr was struck by a round that first went into his arm, then injured his torso. He also sustained a leg injury that did not come from a gunshot wound.

Dugan said a second officer, Leigh Smith, injured his ankle but was not shot. He was treated and released.

"It could have been much worse," Dugan said. "These are the type of things police officers see every day."

The officers returned fire but it appears Jeziorski was not injured.

Dugan said Jeziorski surrendered after his mother intervened and convinced him to put down his weapon. Police quickly moved in and took Jeziorski into custody. 

Authorities said Monday afternoon they discovered an assault rifle, six 30-round magazines for the rifle, a 9 mm pistol and four 30-round magazines for the pistol.

Officials said the warrant was issued after Jeziorski made threats against family members.

SUSPECT HAS VIOLENT HISTORY

The man accused of firing on a Tampa police officer during an early Monday morning arrest is no stranger to the criminal justice system.

Hillsborough County court records show Jeziorski has a criminal record dating back to 2001. He racked up nine felony charges and was convicted of battery on a law enforcement officer and violating an injunction in 2014.

Jeziorski is accused of shooting a police officer Monday morning during his arrest at the Hubert Villa Apartment Complex. Police were trying to bring him in after he reportedly made threats against his family.

After the shootout, Jeziorski’s mother spoke to him by phone and convinced him to put down the gun and surrender, police said. He was then taken into custody without incident.

A neighbor told Spectrum Bay News 9 Jeziorski has ongoing issues with his family and vowed there would be "gunplay" if police came to his home to arrest him.  Jeziorski’s mother said he has ongoing mental issues although he was never clinically diagnosed.

Jeziorski is expected to make his first court appearance Tuesday in a Hillborough County courtroom on new charges stemming from Monday's officer-involved shooting.