A horrifying incident unfolded in Hillsborough County, Florida, last weekend, resulting in the death of a married couple and their 19-year-old son. The events transpired after the son, Christos Themus Jr., allegedly shot and killed his father, 51-year-old Christos Themus Sr.
The chaos began when a frantic 911 call was made by Rebecca Themus, the suspect’s mother, who reported that her son had shot her husband. During the call, dispatchers could hear additional gunshots in the background, adding to the urgency of the situation.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene within minutes and encountered a volatile situation. Themus Jr. was holding his mother hostage at gunpoint, and tragically, he fatally shot her as well.
Body camera footage from the responding deputies captured the tense moments leading up to the deadly confrontation:
Bodycam footage shows Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies responding to a hostage situation
Bodycam footage shows Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies responding to a hostage situation.
The footage reveals the officers’ attempts to de-escalate the situation, urging Themus Jr. to release his mother. They pleaded with him to allow his mother to walk towards them, assuring him that they did not want to harm anyone. However, their efforts proved futile.
The video captures the chilling moment when Themus Jr. emerged from the house, gun in hand, prompting the deputies to order Rebecca Themus to distance herself from her son immediately. The footage ends before the gunfire erupts, but at least four distinct shots were heard amidst the screams.
Tragically, one of the deputies, 26-year-old Shane Meu, was shot in the leg during the exchange. Despite his injury, Deputy Meu displayed remarkable composure, calling out his location and reassuring his fellow officers of his condition. He was transported to the hospital, where the bullet was successfully removed. Thankfully, he is expected to make a full recovery, although it will take several months.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies gather outside Tampa General Hospital to show support for Deputy Shane Meu
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies gather outside Tampa General Hospital to show support for Deputy Shane Meu.
Themus Jr. died during the shootout with law enforcement. The other deputies involved in the incident, all with varying levels of experience, have been identified as Deputy Brandon Shade, Deputy Richard Zegler, Deputy Bajar Atkins, and Deputy Carara Manada. Notably, none of the officers involved had any prior use of force experience.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister provided a detailed account of the tragic events at a press conference:
“Let me just warn everyone the details I have are extremely graphic [and] also very preliminary of what we know and what we believe happened here this evening. This monster that we encountered tonight isn’t just responsible for injuring our deputy, he’s also the subject who killed his own mother and father.”
Sheriff Chronister revealed that the suspect had a history of mental illness and that law enforcement had responded to at least 10 calls for service at the residence since 2021. The majority of these calls were related to mental health concerns and domestic violence incidents involving Themus Jr. against his parents.
Chillingly, Sheriff Chronister disclosed that a risk protection order had been in place against Themus Jr. since March, and his firearms had been confiscated. The fact that he had access to weapons despite this order raises serious questions.
In the aftermath of the shooting, investigators are working tirelessly to determine how Themus Jr. obtained the firearm used in the crime. They are exploring various possibilities, including whether he purchased the gun legally, acquired it illegally, or if it was provided to him by someone else, potentially his father.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the complexities surrounding mental health. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are determined to uncover the full truth behind this horrific crime.
