2 killed, 1 injured in SoHo shooting: TPD
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa police are investigating a shooting that left two men dead on Sunday morning.
Shortly before 3 a.m., officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 500 block of South Howard Ave.
According to Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, a fight between two groups escalated quickly in the parking lot outside Jimmy John's.
Officers were nearby trying to control crowds of people that were leaving bars for the night when the shooting happened, according to police. Authorities say they found three adult men with gunshot wounds.
Officers say 28-year-old Kenneth Washington and 23-year-old Kevon Christmas were taken to a local hospital, which is where they died. Their next of kin were notified, according to officials.
The third shooting victim is still in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, according to law enforcement.
"My thoughts are with the loved ones impacted by this violence, especially on a day like today," shared Bercaw in a press release. "Our officers, detectives, and crime scene technicians have been working tirelessly to gather any available evidence and leads in this case."
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Investigators say the parties involved knew each other and had previously interacted before the fight.
"We're asking the public, which we know people were out here and filming this, to share that with us as we are trying to unfold the details of this investigation. Fortunately, no one else was injured, and our officers were okay," said Bercaw.
Detectives say they are working to identify the suspect involved in the accident.
The incident comes just two weeks after another shooting that stemmed from an argument between adults in a SoHo parking lot at a similar hour of the morning.
Residents who live on surrounding streets like Lisa Parker say they chose the location for the great atmosphere and are growing tired of waking up to the sound of gunshots and the sight of crime scene tape at sunrise.
"I live a block from where this shooting happened and it's really scary. I come out in the morning to walk my dogs, and we're surrounded by police," shared Parker.
Officials are asking for anyone with information that could assist detectives to call the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-8477 or by texting SAFETAMPA to Tip411 (847411).
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