Following the December shooting that left an off-duty federal agent paralyzed, Florida authorities have made a second arrest in connection with the incident. 23-year-old Tia Heyward was taken into custody on Wednesday, accused of assisting 18-year-old Christopher Smith, the alleged shooter, in the attack on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agent on December 27, 2024.

Heyward faces charges including first-degree attempted murder with great bodily harm (accessory after the fact) and aggravated battery with great bodily harm (accessory after the fact), along with two counts of simple battery. Smith, arrested hours after the shooting on December 28, is charged with first-degree attempted murder – discharging a firearm causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm with a deadly weapon, tampering with physical evidence, and carrying a concealed firearm.

The victim, identified by FOX 13 Tampa Bay as Special Agent Matthew Murray of the ATF's Tampa Field Division, was shot around 11:07 p.m. outside The Alley at Southshore bowling alley in Riverview, Florida. Murray, who was enjoying a night out with his family and friends, intervened in an altercation in the parking lot when the shooting occurred.

According to Murray's wife, who testified during Smith's pre-trial detention hearing, her husband identified himself as law enforcement and asked the individuals involved in the fight to leave. She alleges one of them threw an object at Murray, while Smith claimed Murray struck him. Following this exchange, Smith allegedly shot Murray in the neck. Murray underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition, facing permanent paralysis.

Smith was apprehended roughly seven hours after the incident at a nearby residence. He is currently being held without bond. Heyward's bond is set at $42,000. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister commended the detectives' diligent work in bringing those responsible for the shooting to justice and expressed continued support for Agent Murray's recovery.