Sheriff – NBC 6 South Florida

Three people were hospitalized following a shooting at a Tampa apartment complex Sunday evening, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said.

According to Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, the shooting occurred around 7:40 p.m. at the Mariner Clay Apartments in Spring Hills when a car with five passengers struck the suspect, who then began shooting at them.

Nienhuis said it was still unclear what led to the shooting.

“I'm not sure if there was any exchange of fire, but this person started shooting at the vehicle,” Nienhuis said. “The vehicle then of course left the area at high speed and landed [at the Mariner Commons Shopping Center].”

Three of the five people in the car were injured, the sheriff said. The car then drove away and ended up at the Publix in the Mariner Commons Shopping Center.

All three victims were taken to local hospitals, Nienhuis said. Their condition is unknown.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the suspected shooter and two other people who were reportedly with the suspect in the apartment complex were taken into custody.

Nienhuis said the shooting was initially ruled a possible active shooter, but he believes it was because some victims ran into Publix to get help.

Nienhuis confirmed that the Publix was evacuated as a precaution during the incident.