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Father's lawsuit says police at fault in daughter's death

The woman was shot during a hostage situation at a motel.

By COLLEEN JENKINS
Published March 22, 2007

TAMPA - James Wood lost his daughter to drugs and prostitution years before she became a hostage inside a cheap Tampa motel.

But in a lawsuit filed Wednesday, he says he lost her for good because of Tampa Police negligence.

Officers shot Mary Tracy Wood several times on Oct. 7, 2005. They were trying to save her from a man who had held his girlfriend hostage, then showed up at Wood's $35-a-night Luxury Motel room threatening to shoot her unless she opened the door.

Gary Brewer, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, dragged Wood into the parking lot when officers arrived. He taunted police, pointed his gun at them and fired.

Four officers fired several rounds in response. Brewer, 45, died in the parking lot. Wood, 33, died later at Tampa General Hospital.

An internal affairs investigation cleared the officers of any wrongdoing, saying their actions "were necessary to end an escalating series of life-threatening actions orchestrated by Gary Brewer."

The suit, filed by Spring Hill attorney James W. Holliday, contends that the officers were not careful enough in their response.

"But for the negligent use of firearms by Tampa police officers, Mary Tracy Wood would not have died," the suit said.

Holliday was out of state taking depositions Wednesday. Neither he nor Wood's father could be reached for comment.

They are seeking more than $15,000 in damages for the loss of Wood's companionship, future support and services, mental pain and suffering, prospective net accumulations and her medical and funeral expenses.

Known as Tracy, she had been in and out of prison six times since 1991 on drug and robbery charges. She was listed as unemployed in jail records but was known to be a prostitute with a drug habit.

Wood grew up in the rural and suburban mix of eastern Hillsborough County, in a double-wide mobile home in Valrico.

At the time of her death her brother, Marty Wood, recalled that she ran track and played basketball at Bloomingdale High School but left home in her midteens and got lost in a life of addiction and crime.

Reached Wednesday evening, City Attorney David Smith said he had not seen the complaint.

"We've not been served," he said, "so it would be inappropriate for us to comment."

Colleen Jenkins can be reached at (813) 226-3337 or cjenkins@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 22, 2007, 06:38:31]