A second arrest was made in the Florida bowling alley shooting of an off-duty ATF agent.
Florida authorities this week charged a second man with attempted murder in the December shooting of an off-duty federal agent who left him paralyzed.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tia Hayward on Wednesday after the off-duty Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed the shooting of 18-year-old Christopher Smith on December 27, 2024. Agent.
Heyward was charged with attempted first-degree murder with great bodily injury (additional after the fact), aggravated assault (additional after the fact) and two counts of simple battery.
Smith, who was arrested hours later on Dec. 28, faces the same charges of first-degree attempted murder — firearms causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, tampering with physical evidence and carrying a concealed weapon.
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Tia Hayward, 23, is accused of helping 18-year-old Christopher Smith. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Fox 13 Tampa Bay Matthew Murray, an ATF agent with the bureau’s Tampa field division, identified him as Special Agent in Charge.
Murray was shot at 11:07 a.m. Dec. 27 after trying to break up a fight between two men and a woman in the parking lot of a bowling alley.
He was out bowling for a night with his wife, children and family friends when he stood by the front door and saw the fight break out.
Off-duty ATF agent Matthew Murray was shot in the neck on Dec. 27 after trying to break up a fight at The Alley in South Shore. (Google Earth)
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Murray’s wife told Smith during a pretrial detention hearing that her husband identified himself as law enforcement and told the mob to go home, FOX 13 reported. One of them threw a bottle or cup at Murray, the owner said. Meanwhile, Smith said Murray hit him on the shoulder.
Smith then allegedly shot Murray in the back of the neck.
He was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and is in critical condition with permanent paralysis, Murray’s wife said.
Smith reportedly fled Bowling Alley in a Nissan Altima and was found by Hillsborough County deputies seven hours later at a nearby home.
Christopher Smith, 18, is charged with the December shooting death of off-duty ATF agent Matthew Murray, among other crimes. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Smith has been in jail since Dec. 28 and was denied bond earlier this month. Heyward is being held on a $42,000 bond.
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“Our detectives have worked tirelessly to ensure that all those responsible for this senseless act of violence are brought to justice and face the consequences of their actions,” HCSO Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Our prayers are with the ATF agent as he bravely begins his road to recovery. His bravery and selflessness reflect his commitment to protecting our community.”
