HCSO turns investigation over to State Attorney in case of teen's shooting death at Tampa officer's home
TAMPA, Fla. - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says the state attorney will decide who will be prosecuted in the Bradley Hulett shooting investigation.
In December, 15-year-old Bradley was shot and killed while at a friend’s house playing video games.
The gun used to kill Bradley belongs to the father of the teen who was hosting Bradley and two other friends that night. That father is also a Tampa police officer, who was not home at the time of the shooting. His attorney tells FOX 13 that the gun was kept in a locked bedroom and the father isn’t sure how the boys were able to get to his gun.
In a statement Thursday evening, the Sheriff’s Office said the case had many “hurdles.”
“All three of the teenagers who were present the night of this shooting retained lawyers immediately following the incident,” the sheriff’s office said. “Only two of the three have spoken to our investigators, and the most recent of those statements happened just days ago. The homeowner, a Tampa Police Officer, has through his attorney provided limited information to our detectives. All involved, of course, have the right to counsel, but this limitation has prolonged the investigation as we have tried to determine how this young man died on the evening of December 13."
The Hulett family's attorney, Anthony Rickman said they are happy the investigation is moving forward.
"They're grieving, and they grieve every day, and they miss their son every day, and nothing that can happen in this case can bring their son back, but hopefully through this case they can get justice for their son," said the Hulett family’s attorney, Anthony Rickman. "They are extremely pleased and happy with what the sheriff's office has done and ultimately with the outcome today of having the case handed over to the State Attorney’s Office."
Sister of shooting victim makes plea to school board
A Hillsborough County teen is having a hard time dealing with losing her brother after a tragic shooting. She said seeing the boys that were with him when he died is difficult, and now, she is withdrawn from school because of it. Now, she wants something done.
Meanwhile, at least two Newsome High School students say they’ve had to withdraw from the school Bradley attended. Ava, Bradley’s sister, and his girlfriend, Alexa Haybrook. In a School Board Meeting Tuesday, both teens said they’ve withdrawn from Newsome because they feel unsafe walking the halls with Bradley Hulett’s killer and the boys who are protecting him.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Still few details in shooting death of teen at Tampa PD officer's home
“I was forced to walk past them in the hallway, watching the kid who pulled the trigger make out with his girlfriend,” said Ava. “Seeing their faces and knowing they’re responsible and had no consequences caused me to have multiple mental breakdowns and panic attacks throughout the day.”
Bradley’s family said only two of the three boys spoke willingly to detectives after the shooting. Two months have since passed and no charges have been filed. Detectives also have yet to identify the gunman.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said detectives have been stymied by witnesses who’ve been unwilling to cooperate, which is frustrating for both the investigation and Bradley’s loved ones, who are desperate for answers and justice.
“You know when you’re involved in an incident and people go and grab attorneys and don’t cooperate and don’t talk, you don’t know what happened to your son that night,” said Chronister. “I can’t imagine the frustration and pain that they’re feeling.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, Ava pleaded with school board members that something be done.
“I had to withdraw from Newsome and enroll in virtual school because I was not in a safe and healthy learning environment. Isn’t that the definition of bullying? Causing disruption to someone’s learning space and making it toxic? My brother and my family are victims and yet everyone is treating the people bringing this pain upon us like they are the victims and they deserve support,” said Ava, who says school administrators have given her brother’s killer special treatment.
“Teens are being taught that drugs and fighting are bad but killing your so-called friend is OK. This is someone’s life that was taken,” said Ava. “I have to adjust my education because my only other choice was to attend school with murderers. Them being there is not fair to me or anyone else that cares about Bradley. I want some type of action to be taken to allow me to have the type of learning environment where I am not uncomfortable at Newsome High School.”
Hillsborough School Board Attorney Jim Porter then said that without official charges, the board‘s hands are tied.
“No charges have been filed at this point because the investigation is still ongoing,” said Porter. “At the time that the investigation is resolved, the School Board may be able to take the appropriate action, but at this point, because there is an ongoing investigation. The school board has no jurisdiction to deal with the matter further.”
Tampa Police Department Chief Brian Dugan issued a statement saying, “I feel for the family. It’s a tragic event and we are respecting the process of the criminal justice system.”