Medical Examiner: Man shot self before Hillsborough deputy fired

BRANDON (FOX 13) - The Medical Examiner's Office ruled a man thought to have been shot and killed by a deputy, actually shot himself before Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies fired at him.

It happened Friday around 9:15 p.m. outside of a Walmart store on Causeway Boulevard in Brandon.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the Tampa Police Department requested its help in searching for a missing man who was believed to be suicidal.

Deputies spotted the man in his car outside Walmart and approached the vehicle. Investigators said deputies saw the man raise a gun in his hand and commanded that he drop the weapon. Deputies opened fire when the man would not put down his gun, officials said.

Three children, between the ages of 4 and 10, were in the man's vehicle at the time of the shooting. Fortunately, the children were not injured. The sheriff's office said it's unclear if the deputies knew that children were in the car.

The man was later identified as 28-year-old Paul Mebane. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Deputies said they recovered a firearm from the vehicle. The incident remains under investigation.