Billed as the “Strawberry Capital of the World,” Plant City is a peaceful agricultural hub, located 20 miles to the East of shimmering Tampa Bay, Florida. Through an expanse of swamps and fertile green rich farmlands lacking the iconic tumbleweed, it is not the historically optimal location or accurate backdrop for an old-fashioned style shootout. In reality, guns were blazing on an area ranch Saturday, which included a valiant act of self-defense.
Patch.com reports the sordid details of the gunfight on the agricultural property, which tragically claimed the lives of two brothers Saturday and left another man with non-life-threatening injuries. According to authorities, a debate over property quickly escalated to extreme violence erupting into a volley of gunshots, as one of the brothers opened fire on his family member and a bystander. The wife of the bystander responded in apparent self-defense and discharged her firearm at the shooter, ultimately killing him. Investigators are still processing evidence as to the specifics surrounding the incident and the possible need to pursue charges. At this time all accounts indicate that the female shooter was justified in her effort of self-defense.
If the details are not convoluted enough, the original shooter and property owner was a self-proclaimed “cowboy” and was previously married to the woman involved in the firefight. The location of Plant City within relative proximity to Universal Studios and Disney World may account for the irregular circumstances surrounding the bizarre and sad narrative.
Read the full Patch.com article here.