Two dead, 1 injured in Plant City workplace shooting

Image 1 of 3

Two people were shot dead at a barn construction company, including the owner, deputies say.

Hillsborough County deputies responded to Bliss Enterprises after 4 p.m. Monday and found the owner, Richard Paul Bliss deceased at 3940 West Knights Griffin Road, which houses a private home, small offices, barn structures and at least one rental housing units. 

There was apparently an argument between Bliss and two men who were living here on the property off Knights Griffin Road, but it’s unclear why the argument turned violent, deputies say, and Bliss shot the two men in the office. 

One of the men’s relatives heard the gunfire, entered the building, and fatally shot Bliss, deputies say. The relative has not been arrested, and it’s unclear if either acted in self-defense, said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Col. Donna Luczynski. 

"We are talking with them right now," said Luczynski. "They are participating voluntarily in an interview."

One victim, 43-year-old William Duncan, passed away from his injuries Monday evening after being transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital. The identity of the third person shot has not been released. 

The HCSO website says Bliss has a lengthy criminal history.

He has been charged numerous times with assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence and drug possession. Most of his charges are in the early 2000s, but there is a battery charge from 2016.