Hank Earl Carr was born on January 31, 1968, in Atlanta, Georgia. His early life was marked by instability; his parents divorced when he was two, and he left home at 14. Carr had a troubled youth, with his first arrest at 15 for auto theft. Over the years, he accumulated a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for assault, burglary, and drug offenses. Despite a high IQ of 133, he dropped out of high school and struggled with violent tendencies. In the mid-1990s, Carr moved to Tampa, Florida, with his girlfriend, Bernice Bowen, and her two children. He used the alias "Joe Bennett" to avoid detection by law enforcement.​

On the morning of May 19, 1998, Carr brought four-year-old Joey Bennett, his girlfriend's son, to a Tampa fire station, claiming the child had accidentally shot himself. Joey died from a gunshot wound to the head. Carr, using the alias "Joe Bennett," was taken into custody by Detectives Randy Bell and Ricky Childers for questioning. While handcuffed in the front seat of their vehicle, Carr used a hidden key to unlock his restraints, seized a detective's firearm, and fatally shot both officers.

Carr then fled the scene, carjacking a pickup truck. Florida Highway Patrol Trooper James Crooks attempted to intercept him, but Carr shot and killed the trooper during the encounter. A high-speed chase ensued, during which Carr fired at pursuing officers and a police helicopter, injuring several individuals. Eventually, Carr's vehicle was disabled, and he took refuge in a convenience store in Hernando County, holding clerk Stephanie Kramer hostage.

During the standoff, Carr communicated with law enforcement and media outlets, expressing his animosity toward police. After several hours, he released the hostage and committed suicide with a self-inflicted gunshot wound as a SWAT team prepared to enter the store.

The events of that day resulted in the deaths of four individuals: Joey Bennett, Detectives Randy Bell and Ricky Childers, and Trooper James Crooks. Carr's actions prompted widespread scrutiny of police procedures, particularly regarding the transport and restraint of suspects. His girlfriend, Bernice Bowen, was later convicted for her role in concealing Carr's identity and was sentenced to prison.