Tampa police officer shot by suspect who took his own life outside Busch Gardens: TPD

Tampa officer shot by suspect

A�Tampa police officer made it through surgery and is stable at the hospital after being shot near Busch Gardens at the police department?s North Tampa district office on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed to FOX 13. Kylie Jones reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - A Tampa police officer made it through surgery and is stable at the hospital after being shot near Busch Gardens at the police department’s North Tampa district office on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed to FOX 13.

The backstory:

Police Chief Lee Bercaw says that the suspect came to the district office shortly before 8:15 a.m. and spoke to the Master Police Officer Jordan Laupert, 40, and had what appeared to be a cordial conversation.

"They had what appeared to be a cordial conversation in the rear of the building between the in the back," Bercaw said.

While walking away, Laupert said he felt a gunshot wound to the leg.

The suspect then took off across the street to the back of Busch Gardens where officers found him with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

TPD has now released body camera video of the incident.

Tampa police officer shot by suspect outside district office

Video shows a Tampa police officer get shot near Busch Gardens at the department?s North Tampa district office on Wednesday morning, according to TPD.

In the body camera footage, you can hear the officer give the man the address to TPD headquarters and then the man say 'Thank you'.

Bercaw says that he believes the suspect is a 21-year-old man who was dealing with a mental health crisis.

"Clearly, we know that there's some type of mental health crisis going on, because he shot himself," Bercaw said. "Originally he was coming in, wanting to complain about something, but the details of that are yet to be determined."

After the shooting, officers immediately rushed to Laupert and put a tourniquet on his leg.

What they're saying:

"I’m thankful for the officers that came to his immediate aid and provided life-saving resources," Bercaw said. "This situation could have been much worse."

Officials share updates after TPD officer shot near Busch Gardens

A Tampa police officer is in stable condition after being shot Wednesday morning, near the entrance to Busch Gardens.

Bercaw said that Laupert has been with TPD for 10 years. Laupert is normally a school resource officer at Hillsborough High, but while school is not in session, he gets assigned to patrol duties.

READ: Man dies after shooting in St. Pete, police investigating

"He went through some preliminary medical treatment. I spoke to him at the hospital," Bercaw said. "He's in good spirits."

Bercaw also noted that the suspect did not make it onto the grounds of Busch Gardens.

What's next:

Investigators are looking through the body camera and security camera footage to learn more information. Police are still working to identify the suspect.