Topline: A Hillsborough County man faces attempted murder and other charges after a neighbor dispute ended in gunfire and a contested self-defense account.
Published: September 16, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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via hillsboroughstateattorney on Instagram
LITHIA, FL — A 46-year-old Hillsborough County man accused of firing 13 rounds at his neighbor appeared in court Monday for a status hearing ahead of a February trial on attempted murder and other charges.
Michael Kopel’s case involves a shooting captured on video and a self-defense account that prosecutors say conflicts with that recording, according to WFLA’s reporting, which cited the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, 13th Judicial Circuit.
Prosecutors said Kopel and his neighbor were involved in a shouting match. The neighbor began walking toward Kopel from his own yard, and Kopel opened fire, authorities said. The neighbor was injured.
After the shooting, Kopel left the scene and called 911, telling dispatchers he had shot his neighbor in self-defense, according to the state attorney’s office. Prosecutors said his statements to police did not match the video evidence. The report does not describe the specific discrepancies.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kopel. He was charged with attempted second-degree murder with great bodily harm, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, and discharging a firearm in public or on a residential property.
His Monday, Sept. 14, court appearance was a status hearing. WFLA reported that his trial is scheduled for February but did not provide an exact date.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Man Accused of Firing 13 Rounds at Neighbor Heads Toward Trial
A Hillsborough County man faces attempted murder and other charges after a neighbor dispute ended in gunfire and a contested self-defense account.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: September 16, 2026 10:04 pm ET
via hillsboroughstateattorney on Instagram
LITHIA, FL — A 46-year-old Hillsborough County man accused of firing 13 rounds at his neighbor appeared in court Monday for a status hearing ahead of a February trial on attempted murder and other charges.
Michael Kopel’s case involves a shooting captured on video and a self-defense account that prosecutors say conflicts with that recording, according to WFLA’s reporting, which cited the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, 13th Judicial Circuit.
Prosecutors said Kopel and his neighbor were involved in a shouting match. The neighbor began walking toward Kopel from his own yard, and Kopel opened fire, authorities said. The neighbor was injured.
After the shooting, Kopel left the scene and called 911, telling dispatchers he had shot his neighbor in self-defense, according to the state attorney’s office. Prosecutors said his statements to police did not match the video evidence. The report does not describe the specific discrepancies.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kopel. He was charged with attempted second-degree murder with great bodily harm, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, and discharging a firearm in public or on a residential property.
His Monday, Sept. 14, court appearance was a status hearing. WFLA reported that his trial is scheduled for February but did not provide an exact date.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Man Accused of Firing 13 Rounds at Neighbor Heads Toward Trial
A Hillsborough County man faces attempted murder and other charges after a neighbor dispute ended in gunfire and a contested self-defense account.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: September 16, 2026 10:04 pm ET
via hillsboroughstateattorney on Instagram
LITHIA, FL — A 46-year-old Hillsborough County man accused of firing 13 rounds at his neighbor appeared in court Monday for a status hearing ahead of a February trial on attempted murder and other charges.
Michael Kopel’s case involves a shooting captured on video and a self-defense account that prosecutors say conflicts with that recording, according to WFLA’s reporting, which cited the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, 13th Judicial Circuit.
Prosecutors said Kopel and his neighbor were involved in a shouting match. The neighbor began walking toward Kopel from his own yard, and Kopel opened fire, authorities said. The neighbor was injured.
After the shooting, Kopel left the scene and called 911, telling dispatchers he had shot his neighbor in self-defense, according to the state attorney’s office. Prosecutors said his statements to police did not match the video evidence. The report does not describe the specific discrepancies.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kopel. He was charged with attempted second-degree murder with great bodily harm, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, and discharging a firearm in public or on a residential property.
His Monday, Sept. 14, court appearance was a status hearing. WFLA reported that his trial is scheduled for February but did not provide an exact date.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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