Second arrest made in Florida bowling alley shooting that paralyzed off-duty ATF agent
Florida authorities this week charged a second person with attempted murder in connection with a shooting in December an off-duty federal agent it left him paralyzed.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tia Heyward, 23, on Wednesday after investigators determined she allegedly helped Christopher Smith, 18, shoot the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) off-duty on Dec. 27, 2024. agent.
Heyward was charged with attempted first degree murder with great bodily injury (subsequent aiding), aggravated assault with great bodily injury (subsequent aiding) and two counts of simple battery.
Smith, who was arrested hours later on Dec. 28, faces similar charges of attempted first-degree murder — discharging a firearm causing serious bodily injury, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon, tampering with physical evidence and carrying a concealed firearms.
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Tia Heyward, 23, is accused of helping Christopher Smith, 18, after he allegedly shot an off-duty ATF agent in the neck at a Florida bowling alley. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
FOX 13 Tampa Bay they identified the ATF agent as Special Agent Matthew Murray, who serves in the field division of the Tampa office.
Murray was shot around 11:07 p.m. on December 27 at The Alley at Southshore in Riverview, Florida, after trying to de-escalate a fight between two men and a woman in the bowling alley parking lot.
He was out bowling at night with his wife, their children and family friends when they saw a fight break out as they stood near the front door.
Off-duty ATF Agent Matthew Murray was shot in the neck after trying to break up a fight at The Alley on Southshore on Dec. 27. (Google Earth)
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Murray’s wife said during Smith’s pretrial detention hearing that her husband identified himself as law enforcement and told a group of people to go home, FOX 13 reported. One of them allegedly threw a bottle or cup at Murray, according to his wife. Meanwhile, Smith claimed Murray punched him in the shoulder.
Smith then accused of killing Murray in the back of the neck.
He was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition with permanent paralysis, Murray’s wife said.
Smith reportedly fled the bowling alley in a Nissan Altima and was found by Hillsborough County deputies at a nearby home about seven hours later.
Christopher Smith, 18, is charged with attempted murder, among other crimes, in the December shooting of off-duty ATF agent Matthew Murray. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Smith has been behind bars since December 28 and was denied bail earlier this month. Heyward is in jail on $42,000 bond.
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“Our detectives have worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone responsible for this senseless act of violence is held accountable and faces the consequences of their actions,” HCSO Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Our prayers remain with the ATF agent as he bravely embarks on the road to recovery. His courage and selflessness exemplify his dedication to protecting our community.”
