An argument on Facebook over politics led to the shooting of a man in Tampa on Monday.
According to police, Alex Stephens, 46, and Brian Sebring, 44, became involved in an argument over politics on the social media platform.
After receiving several explicit messages and threats, Sebring went to Stephens’ home to confront him.
Sebring, anticipating the confrontation would escalate, brought his Glock semi-automatic pistol.
When he arrived to Stephens’ home, Sebring honked his horn and waited by his truck for the victim to leave his home.
Stephens left the home and immediately sprinted towards Sebring, who drew his pistol and fired two shots at Stephens, striking him in the right thigh and buttocks.
Stephens ran away and Sebring fled the scene.
Stephens identified Sebring as the shooter by name to police.
“I was just thinking, it had to be fireworks. I thought it was 4th of July,” said one neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous.
“I looked down at my phone, am I missing some holiday, should I have off tomorrow?”
Sebring turned himself in to police. He has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed firearm.
Stephens was taken to Tampa General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
