USF senior Childs shot off campus

USF senior defensive back Hassan Childs is in stable condition following a shooting Saturday night, according to a statement from the school.

The incident took place off campus and no one else was injured, the school stated.

Childs was shot during an apparent road-rage incident, according to a Tampa police report obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.

The police report states, “At about 11:15 p.m. Saturday, police received a call from a man later identified as Jovanni Jimenez, 26, saying that a man, later identified as Childs, pointed a gun at Jimenez and his wife and child at the Eagles Point Apartments.

“. . . Jimenez then pulled his gun and shot Childs, 22, in what he told police was self defense. Childs was hit three times in the upper arm and torso.”

USF coach Charlie Strong released a statement Sunday indicating the school is still gathering information about the shooting.

“We are deeply concerned that an incident occurred overnight in which one of our players, Hassan Childs, was injured in a shooting,” the statement read. “Thankfully, Hassan is in stable condition and being well cared for, and no one else was injured. There is an ongoing investigation of the incident and we are in the process of gathering further information. Out of respect for the integrity of the investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.”

Childs, who attended Kissimmee High in Osceola, was listed as a starting safety on the team’s prespring practice roster. He has played in 20 USF games.