Brian Vessell, 46, was shot to death outside his apartment door in Tampa, Florida, on December 28, 2017. The shooting followed a confrontation involving Vessell, his girlfriend Tish Bardin, and Tish’s 22-year-old son, Tyler Bardin. Family conflict reportedly stemmed from years of abusive behavior by Vessell toward Tish; on the night in question Tish had visible injuries, including a black eye, that prompted Tyler to intervene.

Witnesses heard gunshots as Vessell retreated toward his apartment. He was struck five times in the back and found deceased by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Tyler Bardin initially barricaded himself inside his apartment and was later taken into custody by a SWAT team. He was charged with second-degree murder; investigators noted that the shots to Vessell’s back raised questions about whether the killing was purely defensive, and that Tyler discarded the firearm and other items after the shooting.

Does anyone have further details about the moments before the shooting or about witnesses who were at the apartment complex that night?