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Shots that killed hostage were justified, police report says

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published June 2, 2006

TAMPA - Four Tampa police officers did nothing wrong in an October shooting at the Luxury Motel that killed a man and his hostage, according to an internal affairs investigation.

"This incident came to a tragic end, however the actions taken by the officers were necessary to end an escalating series of life-threatening actions orchestrated by Gary Brewer," wrote Capt. G.H. Honeywell in the report.

The investigation centered on the Oct. 7 shooting of Brewer and Mary Tracy Wood, a woman he took hostage at the Tampa motel.

Earlier that day, Brewer got into an argument with his girlfriend, Cynthia Chin, over drugs, police say. Brewer held Chin at gunpoint and threatened to kill her, but she escaped and called police.

Brewer, armed with a shotgun, then drove to the Luxury Motel at 4608 E Hillsborough Ave., where he pointed the gun at Wood, threatening to shoot her unless she opened the door to her boyfriend's hotel room.

When officers arrived, Brewer dragged Wood into the parking lot, and told officers, "come on boys, shoot," police say. He then pointed the gun at the officers and fired a shot, police say.

At this, Sgt. John Preyer, Officer Gary Pruitt, Cpl. Larry McKinnon and Cpl. David Watt fired several rounds at Brewer, killing him. Wood was hit by gunfire. She died at a hospital the next day.

Honeywell cleared the officers of any wrongdoing, writing that it appeared Brewer was "on a mission of destruction."

[Last modified June 2, 2006, 08:33:51]