A disagreement that began at a Tampa restaurant spilled into a white Chevrolet pickup truck, where police say a 74-year-old man fatally shot a woman he had known for more than 20 years.
Tampa Police identified the driver as Alan Barber, 74, and confirmed a woman, also in her 70s, was riding in the passenger seat on Oct. 3.
As Barber drove, the argument intensified. Police say he shot the woman, then pulled into the parking lot of a local business in the 4100 block of East Fowler Avenue.
Officers arrived, recovered the firearm, impounded the pickup as evidence, and took Barber into custody without incident before transporting him to Orient Road Jail on a second-degree murder charge.
Inside The Truck
A probable-cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime identified the woman as 74-year-old Barbara Susdorf.
Responding officers found Susdorf dead in the front passenger seat from a gunshot wound to the head.
Barber told police he and Susdorf had been together for more than 25 years and had recently discussed separating. Their dispute involved a home held in Susdorf’s name and money Barber believed he had contributed toward it.
According to Law&Crime’s account of the affidavit, Barber told police he snapped during the argument before pointing a gun at Susdorf and firing. Barber called 911 around 11:30 a.m. after the shooting.
A Wider Problem
Acting Tampa Police Chief Brett Owen said no disagreement should end with the loss of a life.
A Tampa Police victim advocate was assigned to help connect Susdorf’s family and loved ones with available resources.
Nationally, Everytown Research, analyzing CDC data from 2020 through 2023, found that more than 70 women each month are shot and killed by a current or former intimate partner. Women accounted for 77% of intimate-partner firearm homicide victims in that analysis.
Anyone experiencing or affected by domestic violence in Florida can contact the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119. The statewide hotline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can connect callers with support, safety planning, and local domestic violence services.