1 dead, 2 injured in Plant City workplace shooting

PLANT CITY (FOX 13) - Deputies say the owner of a barn construction company was shot dead on his property in Plant City.

Two others were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds, but deputies are only beginning to unravel what happened.

"We have to take our time and do thorough interviews with everyone who was on the property," said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Col. Donna Luczynski. 

There was apparently an argument between Richard Bliss and two men who were living here on the property off Knights Griffin Road.

"It was over being on the property," said Luczynski. "They were staying on the property here and they had asked them to leave several times."

It's unclear as to why the argument turned violent, but deputies say Bliss shot the two men in the office. 

One of their relatives heard the gunfire, came in, and killed Bliss. 

That fourth person has not been arrested. 

It's unclear as to whether either acted in self defense, but others will be interviewed to determine if the shootings were justified, or if anyone called 911 before the gunfire.
"We are talking with them right now," said Luczynski. "They are participating voluntarily in an interview."

The two victims who were wounded have not been identified as deputies try to locate next of kin.

One is critical, one is stable.

The HCSO website says Bliss has a lengthy criminal history.

He has been charged numerous times with assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence and drug possession.

Most of his charges are in the early 2000s, but there is a battery charge from 2016.