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Two accused gunmen in deadly Ybor City mass shooting appear in court

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Published  January 8, 2025 3:45pm EST
Ybor City
FOX 13 News

Ybor mass shooting suspects return to court

Aaron Mesmer reports.

The Brief

    • Two accused gunmen in the deadly Ybor City mass shooting back in 2023 appeared in a Tampa courtroom.
    • Two people were killed in the shooting and 16 others were injured.
    • Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez said all of the suspects have been charged as adults.

TAMPA, Fla. - Two of the accused gunmen responsible for a deadly mass shooting in Ybor City in 2023 appeared in court on Wednesday, as their cases slowly move toward trial.

Attorneys for Dwayne Tillman, 22, and Kadyn Abney, 15, told a judge they're working the deposing witnesses who might be called to testify at trial.

"I know that there's a ton of witnesses still to talk to," one of the defense attorneys said.

RELATED: Families, survivors gather for vigil one year after Ybor City mass shooting: 'We are not just victims'

Tillman, Abney and Tyrell Phillips, who was not in court Wednesday, are accused of opening fire into a crowd celebrating Halloween in October 2023. The shooting killed Elijah Wilson, 14, and Harrison Boonstoppel, 20, and injured 16 others.

Harrison's family members have spoken publicly about struggling through the grief.

"This is not something you feel sad for one day. This is every day," Harrison's mother, Brucie Boonstoppel, said last June.

One year later: Deadly Ybor City shooting

One year ago, the lives of more than a dozen people changed forever. Two sets of families lost their children to senseless gun violence in Ybor City during a Halloween celebration.

"I have to live my rest of my life like this, and it's terrifying, and it's terrible, and I wish this upon nobody," added Harrison's twin sister, Ava Boonstoppel, during the same June 2024 news conference.

PREVIOUS: Ybor City shooting victim’s family starts memorial fund in honor of son: ‘We can give to the community’

Elijah's father was in court for the hearing on Wednesday and spoke with Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

"He knows that we're here to support him. I can't imagine the loss that he's endured," Lopez said, adding she's confident prosecutors will deliver justice for the victims' families. "They've all been charged as adults. They were in adult court this morning, and we're going to hold them accountable."

The judge scheduled the next hearing for March 20.

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