TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor was joined by State Rep. Dianne Hart and anti-violence activists as she provided updates on two deadly shootings and asked the community for help in curbing gun violence.
What You Need To Know
Tampa Police say a 21-year-old man is dead and a 15-year-old boy is in the hospital following a Monday shooting at a gas station near E. Columbus Dr. and Republica de Cuba
Less than two hours later, a man was killed on the 4300 block of N. 35th St.
Chief Mary O’Connor says they identified all parties involved in the first shooting, and the guns involved were recovered
O’Connor says detectives are following up on promising leads in second shooting
Tampa Police say a 21-year-old man is dead and a 15-year-old boy is in the hospital following a Monday shooting at a gas station near E. Columbus Dr. and Republica de Cuba
Less than two hours later, a man was killed on the 4300 block of N. 35th St.
Chief Mary O’Connor says they identified all parties involved in the first shooting, and the guns involved were recovered
O’Connor says detectives are following up on promising leads in second shooting
“We as a community, have to keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them to begin with,” Chief O’Connor said during a news conference.
O’Connor said a 21-year-old man is dead and a 15-year-old boy hospitalized after the first shooting that happened at a gas station near E. Columbus Dr. and Republica de Cuba. O’Connor said that shooting happened after an argument that began between two people a few weeks ago escalated into a fight outside the gas station. The 15-year-old and the 24-year-old man had guns. Detectives are discussing appropriate charges with the State Attorney’s Office.
According to O’Connor, the second shooting happened less than two hours later in the 4300 block of N. 35th St. A man died of his injuries.
O’Connor said Tampa Police have made six arrests this month alone for felony possession of firearms, and 78 guns have been stolen from unlocked vehicles since the beginning of the year. The chief encouraged gun owners to secure their guns and asked anyone who knows someone who has illegal guns to report them to police, to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay by dialing 1-800-873-TIPS, through TIP 411, or by reaching out to community anti-violence groups.