Father Fatally Shoots Man During Custody Exchange At Florida Apartment Building, Police Say

A Florida father is in custody after he allegedly ran after a man and fatally shot him while picking up his children, police said.

Around 11 a.m. on May 7, officers responding to the Abbey Lane Apartments in Winter Haven found a wounded man lying on the ground outside, WTSP reported.

The victim was rushed to a local hospital, where he died from his gunshot injuries, police said.

At the scene, officers said they spoke with Christopher Hill, Jr., 28, who claimed he was at the apartment building to pick up his children from his ex-girlfriend, their mother, when he and the man got into a fight.

Hill allegedly claimed he was in fear for his life, but witnesses reported Hill was armed with a handgun and firing at the victim while chasing him, police said.

The shooting suspect was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He was being held without bond at the Polk County jail.