Florida bowling alley shooting paralyzes off-duty ATF agent, second arrested
Florida authorities this week charged a second person with attempted murder in connection with the fatal shooting of an off-duty federal agent in December.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23-year-old Tia Heyward on Wednesday after investigators determined she allegedly assisted 18-year-old Christopher Smith on Dec. 27, 2024. Shooting of off-duty Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officer.
Hayward was charged with attempted first-degree murder with serious bodily injury (accessory after the fact), aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury (accomplice after the fact) and two counts of simple assault.
Smith was arrested hours later on Dec. 28 and faces similar charges of attempted first-degree murder – discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, tampering with physical evidence and carrying a concealed firearm.
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Tia Heyward, 23, is accused of helping 18-year-old Christopher Smith, who allegedly shot an off-duty ATF agent in the neck at a Florida bowling alley. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
FOX 13 Tampa Bay identified the ATF agent as Special Agent Matthew Murray, who works out of the agency’s Tampa field division.
At around 11:07 pm on December 27, Murray was shot and killed while trying to break up a fight between two men and a woman in the parking lot of The Alley Bowling Alley in Southshore, Riverview, Florida.
He was out bowling with his wife, children and family friends when they stood near the front door and saw the fight break out.
On Dec. 27, off-duty ATF Agent Matthew Murray was shot in the neck after trying to break up a fight at Southshore The Alley. (Google Earth)
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Murray’s wife said during Smith’s pretrial detention hearing that her husband identified himself as a law enforcement officer and told the group to go home, Fox 13 reported. According to Murray’s wife, one of them threw a bottle or cup at Murray. Smith, meanwhile, claimed Murray hit him in the shoulder.
Smith was later accused of shooting Murray in the back of the neck.
Murray was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and is now in critical condition with permanent paralysis, his wife said.
Smith allegedly fled the bowling alley in a Nissan Altima and Hillsborough County deputies found him about seven hours later at a nearby home.
Christopher Smith, 18, is charged with attempted murder and other charges in the December shooting death of off-duty ATF agent Matthew Murray. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Smith has been in jail since December 28 and was denied bail earlier this month. Hayward is in jail with bail set at $42,000.
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“Our detectives worked tirelessly to ensure that all those responsible for this senseless act of violence were held accountable and held accountable,” HCSO Sergeant Chad Chronister said in a statement. “We pray for the ATF agent as he courageously embarks on the road to recovery. His bravery and selflessness exemplify his dedication to protecting our community. “
