Deputies seek armed Clair Mel carjacker

Update: Georgia authorities recovered the Nissan Altima this morning. Authorities discovered the abandoned vehicle behind a convenience store in Tifton, Ga. on U.S. 82. approximately 3 miles off of Interstate 75.

Hillsborough Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said the agency is sending detectives to Tifton.

CLAIR MEL -- A 27-year-old Tampa man is in critical condition after being shot and carjacked by someone deputies say he knew.

Antonio Middleton, of 2220 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., was with his girlfriend when they picked up the suspect at Waikiki Way and Ride In Road around 9:35 p.m.

The man ordered Middleton's girlfriend out of the car. After she complied, she heard a "pop." Another witness told deputies they then saw the suspect push Middleton out of his car.

Deputies are now searching for the armed man, described as a 6-foot black man wearing all black clothing and a black hat. He was last seen driving Middleton's car -- a white 1994 Nissan Altima four-door, with dark tinted windows, a sun roof and chrome rims. The left part of the rear bumper is hanging and it has Florida license plate, R34-9PR.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Hillsborough sheriff's office at (813) 247-8200 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

Rebecca Catalanello, Times staff writer