Two Tampa police officers gunned down during early morning traffic stop

TAMPA - A woman wanted for questioning in the shooting deaths of two Tampa police officers was found at a Hillsborough County apartment complex Tuesday afternoon.

22-year-old Cortnee Nicole Brantley was located at the Bristol Bay City View apartment complex in the vicinity of 50th Street and Palm River Road.  The  suspect vehicle, a red Toyota Camry, was also recovered at the same location.

A second suspect who is believed to be the gunman, 24-year-old Dontae Rashawn Morris, is still on the loose .

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor told reporters Tuesday afternoon that Morris fled on foot after the shooting.  "He ran from the scene of the shooting. She drove away," said Castor.

Officers Jeff Kocab and Officer Dave Curtis were gunned down during a traffic stop near I-4 in the vicinity of 50th Street and 23rd Avenue.

"This is an unbelievable tragedy," said Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. "Our hearts are just breaking. It is so very tragic."

Officer Kocab, 31, died around 4 a.m. at Tampa General Hospital. He leaves behind a wife, Sarah, who is 9-months pregnant.

Officer Curtis, also 31, died around 8:30 a.m. after being put on life support. at Tampa General Hospital, according to TPD. He leaves behind his wife, Kelly, and four children.

Officer Kocab joined him after it was determined that the passenger in the car had an outstanding warrant for a worthless check out of Jacksonville. Chief Castor said as soon as they put their hands on the suspect, the man spun around, pulled out a gun and shot both officers in the upper body.

Castor said both officers were wearing body armor.   But based on where they were shot, the armor could not have protected them.

There were no radio transmissions after the shootings. Police say a witness called police approximately six minutes after the officers began the traffic stop.

As word of the shootings spread, dozens of somber officers streamed into Tampa General.

"We're a very close family," said Chief Castor. "To have such a tragedy as this is very difficult."

In addition to his wife. Officer Curtis leaves behind four boys ages 9, 8, 5 and 8 months. Chief Castor described him as "a family man" who spent all his off-time with his children.

Curtis has been an officer with Tampa police for more than three-and-a-half years. He was a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office jail deputy before joining TPD.

Jeff Kocab was previously with the Plant City Police Department before joining TPD fourteen months ago.

Both officers were assigned to District 3 Squad's midnight shift. Chief Castor said the men, both 31-years-old, were born just a month apart.

Detectives have issued a warrant for the arrest of Dontae Morris. He is wanted on two counts of First Degree Murder and one count of felon in possession of a firearem.

Other local law enforcement agencies, including the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office,  the Florida Highway Patrol and the Temple Terrace Police Department, are aiding TPD in the search for the suspects.

"The perimeter is tightening," said Chief Castor.

Morris is described as being in his mid-to-late 20's black male about 5-feet 10- inches tall, weighing between 150 and 170 pounds and wearing a white shirt with black vest.

A statewide search is underway, and Laura McElroy from Tampa Police said a $75,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest, including $50,000 from the F.B.I. The U.S. Marshal's Office offered $10,000, another $10,000 is from the Police Defense Fund, and Crime Stoppers added $5,000 to the reward. Citizens are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-873-TIPS (8477), report at www.crimestopperstb.com , or call Tampa Police at (813) 231-6130 with any information about the suspect.

This is the Bay area's second incident of law enforcement officers being shot in less than a week. Two Polk County deputies were shot early Friday in Lakeland after stopping a man riding a bicycle. They are expected to recover.

Stay with abcactionnews.com for continuing updates on this breaking story, and for complete coverage, see the ABC Action News.com special report: Tampa Police Tragedy .