Briefly

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 20, 2006

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Man found dead in pool at apartments in Tampa

TAMPA - Authorities were investigating what appeared to be an accidental drowning Saturday at the Amaretto of North Tampa apartments, 14401 N 22nd St.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said a man was found Saturday morning at the bottom of the complex swimming pool. He was identified as Miguel Sanchez Gomez, who lived at the complex and was last seen alive the night before, drinking with a roommate.

A passer-by found Gomez in the pool at 11 a.m. and notified authorities.

Standoff ends when man fatally shoots himself

SAN ANTONIO - A 52-year-old man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a four-hour standoff with the Pasco County sheriff's SWAT team Saturday afternoon.

Deputies responded to a call at 11847 Elm St. in San Antonio about 2 p.m. The man had been drinking, was known to have firearms on the property and was threatening suicide.

Deputies remained outside until shortly after 6 p.m. when they shot three rounds of tear gas into the house. Shortly after, they heard a muffled shot. When they entered the house, they found the man dead.

Deputies were not releasing the name early Saturday evening.

County records show the house belongs to Frederick J. Miller. Neighbor Richard Banaszak said he was walking his dog Saturday morning when he last saw Miller.

"I was talking to him this morning," Banaszak said. "He seemed normal."

Neighbors said Miller had worked at a nearby Chevron station until it closed recently. Miller lived alone with a dog.