A second arrest has been made in a Florida bowling alley shooting that left an off-duty ATF agent paralyzed

Florida authorities this week charged a second man with attempted murder in connection with a December shooting an off-duty federal agent it paralyzed him.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23-year-old Tia Hayward on Wednesday after investigators determined she helped shoot 18-year-old Christopher Smith on Dec. 27, 2024, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). agent.

Heyward is charged with attempted first-degree murder with great bodily injury (accessory after the fact), aggravated battery with great bodily injury (accessory after the fact) and two counts of simple battery.

Arrested hours later on Dec. 28, Smith faces similar charges of attempted first-degree murder — discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, tampering with physical evidence and carrying a concealed firearm. .

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Tia Hayward, 23, is accused of assisting 18-year-old Christopher Smith after he shot an off-duty ATF agent in the neck at a Florida bowling alley. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)

FOX 13 Tampa Bay The ATF identified the agent as Special Agent Matthew Murray, who serves in the bureau’s Tampa Field Division.

Murray was shot on Dec. 27 at approximately 11:07 p.m. in an alley in Southshore. Riverview, Florida, after attempting to defuse a fight between two men and a woman in the parking lot of a bowling alley.

He had gone bowling one night with his wife, children and family friends when they were standing by the front door when they saw the fight break out.

On Dec. 27, ATF agent Matthew Murray was shot in the neck while trying to break up a fight at The Alley in Southshore. (Google Earth)

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During a pretrial detention hearing for Smith, Murray’s wife said her husband posed as a law enforcement officer and told a group of people to go home, FOX 13 reported. According to his wife, one of them threw a bottle or cup at Murray. Meanwhile, Smith claimed Murray shot him in the shoulder.

Smith is in it He is accused of shooting Murray behind the neck.

Murray’s wife said he was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition with permanent paralysis.

Smith fled the bowling alley in a Nissan Altima and was allegedly at a nearby home by Hillsborough County deputies about seven hours later.

Christopher Smith, 18, is charged with attempted murder, among other crimes, in the December shooting death of off-duty ATF agent Matthew Murray. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)

Smith has been behind bars since Dec. 28 and was denied bond earlier this month. Heyward is in jail on $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 held accountable and face the consequences of their actions,” said HCSO Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our prayers remain with the ATF agent who is courageously on the road to recovery. His courage and dedication exemplify his dedication to protecting our community.”