Related video: Tampa police exchange gunfire with Matthew Fowler
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tampa man was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of attempted murder of two Tampa police officers.
The State Attorney’s Office for the 13th Judicial Circuit announced that a jury found Matthew Fowler, 24, guilty of trying to shoot the officers while they investigated an unrelated case at the Azula North Apartments.
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The officers spotted Fowler checking car doors and residential door handles, so they went up to him to find out what he was doing.
During Fowler’s trial, jurors watched body cam video, which is attached on this article, that showed Fowler pull a gun on the police, firing at them before running away. Officers returned fire, but no one was hurt in the shootout.
Matthew Fowler during his trial for the attempted murder of two Tampa police officers (Credit: State Attorney’s Office for the 13th Judicial District.)
“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day for our community,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez said. “When someone opens fire on these heroes, they attack all of us. This verdict means we can hold this defendant accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
After Fowler was convicted, a judge sentenced him to life in prison on both counts.
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