Three Killed, 14 Wounded in Ybor City Shooting on 7th Avenue, Tampa Police Say
Tampa police say an altercation between two groups ended in gunfire into a crowd leaving bars on East 7th Avenue just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Three people died, 14 were wounded, and one person is in custody.
Three people were killed and 14 others were wounded early Saturday when shots were fired into a crowd in Ybor City, Tampa police said. The shooting happened just before 1:30 a.m. in the 1800 block of East 7th Avenue, between North 17th and North 19th Streets, as people were leaving bars at the end of the Halloween in Ybor festivities, according to Tampa Police PIO Cody Battey. Police said an altercation between two groups ended with shots fired into the crowd.
Two of the victims died at the scene and a third died at a hospital, police said. The 14 wounded were taken to area hospitals. Several people were detained and one person is in custody, but police said it is still unknown what role each person played, and the motive is not yet known. Hundreds of officers were already in the area for Halloween night, police said.
"This is a senseless tragedy that should have never happened," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. "These people were just out last night, enjoying Halloween and not bothering anyone." Mayor Jane Castor said she was deeply saddened by the events in Ybor City and that her heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives.
Hillsborough County Public Schools confirmed that one of the victims was a Plant City High School student, FOX 13 reported. Tampa police have not released the names of the victims, and the investigation is continuing. This story will be updated as police release more information.
