Rosamond Brookins Obituary, Death: Florida deputy fatally shoots grandmother after she shot her daughter

Rosamond Brookins Obituary, Death – Rosamond Brookins Obituary, DeathA domestic dispute in Tampa, Florida turned deadly early Sunday morning when a grandmother shot her daughter and was later killed by a responding deputy. Authorities say the situation unfolded quickly and ended in tragedy, leaving one woman dead and another recovering from injuries.

At around 4:41 a.m., the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a burglary in progress at a residence. The home, located in a quiet Tampa neighborhood, was occupied by four individuals: a 46-year-old woman identified as Rosamond Brookins, her adult daughter, her grandchild, and a roommate. What began as a routine call for a possible break-in soon escalated into a life-threatening domestic violence incident.

As deputies arrived at the scene, chaos erupted inside the home. According to Deputy Chief Joseph Maurer, Brookins shot her daughter in the hand just moments before law enforcement could intervene. The gunfire set off a chain of events that required swift and decisive action from responding officers.

After the gunshot, the roommate quickly exited the house, carrying the young child to safety. Both the roommate and the child were unharmed and were secured outside by deputies. This quick thinking likely prevented further injuries or fatalities.

Meanwhile, two separate teams of deputies prepared to enter the house. One team located and rescued the wounded daughter. Authorities reported that the victim appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic at the time. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and is currently in stable condition, according to officials.

The second team focused on locating Brookins, who had retreated to a back room and locked herself inside. Deputies issued repeated commands for her to open the door and surrender, but she did not respond. Concerned for safety and facing an armed suspect, the deputies eventually breached the locked door.

Inside, they found Brookins lying on the floor with a firearm still in her hand. Despite being given numerous commands to drop her weapon, she reportedly began to raise the gun. At that moment, one of the deputies fired, fatally striking her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputy Joshua Thomas, the officer who discharged his weapon, has been identified by the sheriff’s office. Thomas has been with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) for ten months and previously served with the Temple Terrace Police Department for six years. Authorities stated that this is the first time Deputy Thomas has been involved in a deadly use-of-force incident.

During a press conference, Deputy Chief Maurer addressed the domestic nature of the situation. He stated that Brookins and her daughter had been living together, but tensions between them had been escalating. In fact, Brookins had reportedly been asked to leave the residence just two days earlier, on Friday. Maurer emphasized that while he could not confirm the motive behind the shooting, it was clearly a domestic violence incident.

“Domestic violence is the monster in everyone’s home,” Maurer said. “We cannot police in your homes,” he added, stressing the importance of seeking help before violence erupts. He urged individuals experiencing abuse or escalating family conflict to reach out to support services and law enforcement before it is too late.

In keeping with standard procedures for officer-involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will lead the investigation into the incident. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the use of deadly force was justified and to review all circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The tragic outcome of this situation has left many questions unanswered, including what prompted Brookins to shoot her daughter and why she resisted surrendering to deputies. However, law enforcement officials remain focused on a thorough investigation and supporting the surviving victims.

This incident highlights the dangerous and unpredictable nature of domestic violence situations. It also underscores the split-second decisions officers must make when dealing with armed suspects. As the FDLE’s investigation moves forward, more details may emerge that clarify the motivations and actions of those involved.

In the meantime, local officials are using the tragedy to remind the public that help is available for those in volatile home environments. Community resources, domestic abuse hotlines, and intervention services can provide support before conflicts spiral out of control.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is expected to release further information as the investigation develops, including any updates on the condition of the injured daughter and the legal status of the case.

In the wake of this fatal encounter, law enforcement and community advocates continue to urge individuals facing domestic issues to take early action. They stress that lives can be saved when violence is addressed before it turns deadly.