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Deputies search for suspect after 28-year-old man found shot, killed in Tampa

Posted at 5:44 AM, Aug 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-03 16:33:44-04

Hillsborough County deputies are investigating a fatal shooting that took place on Thursday morning in Tampa.

Just before 2:40 a.m. on Thursday, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office received a Shot Spotter activation of three rounds fired near the 1500 block of 143rd Avenue East in Tampa.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they found Michael Jamar Bethel, 28, suffering from several gunshot wounds. Bethel was transported to the hospital, where he later died. 

"There’s no reason why this should have happened to him," his cousin told ABC Action News. 

Bethel texted his cousin, telling him he was lonely and wanted to hang out just 15 minutes before investigators think he was shot. 

Detectives say Bethel was on a bicycle when he was shot. Deputies responded in 5 minutes after someone called 911. 

He doesn't know who would shoot Bethel, saying he was a good guy and a dad, but he hopes investigators can find however did. 

"I hope whoever did it get brought to justice asap," he said. 

Investigators are currently working to determine who killed the man and what lead up to the shooting.

Story Developing. Stay with ABC Action News for updates.