Video: Deputies searching for suspect accused of shooting at teens near Spoto High School
RIVERVIEW, Fla. - The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating a wanted man they say opened fire at several teens on Friday during a fight down the street from Spoto High School.
Deputies say Jahfahree Prince Edwards is wanted for four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm.
Deputies say what started as a fight between two girls led to one of them calling the shooter to the fight. That's when deputies say Edwards showed up and started firing.
A teen gun violence prevention advocate who spoke to FOX 13 says, unfortunately, this is something he is seeing all too often.
Surveillance video shows high schoolers with their backpacks sprinting for cover as bullets fly.
Deputies are searching for Jahfahree Prince Edwards, who they say opened fire at teens near Spoto H.S. on Friday. Image is courtesy of HCSO.
Video shows Edwards continuing to fire in the direction of moving cars and teens now several yards away running for their lives. Right before shots are fired, Edwards appears to hide the gun behind his back. One girl is mere feet from Edwards when he opened fire.
READ: Man who just got out of jail threatens to blow up house; creates a standoff
"When incidents like this happen, it takes the wind out of our sails, and we're wondering, how much more do we have to do to really get this message out to people, to our kids and young adults, that you don't have to pick up firearms in response to anger or a temporary situation," Safe & Sound Hillsborough Executive Director Freddy Barton said.
It happened in front the gated entrance to the Osprey Lakes West subdivision near the corner of Eagle Palm and Breezy Palm drives in Riverview which is down the street from Spoto High School where school had just let out moments earlier.
Video shows Edwards continuing to fire in the direction of moving cars and teens now several yards away running for their lives. Image is courtesy of HCSO.
"Here at our center, in our program and in the community, we're talking to kids about anger management and coping skills and how you can defuse the situation, so you don't have to put yourself in a situation where your life or someone else's life can be tragically taken away," Barton said.
Barton started a program in 2022 exclusively for youth gun offenders. In just 18 months, 44 teens have graduated from the program. It's a staggering number for Barton, who says, unfortunately, it just shows how much programs like this are needed in the community.
"We're trying to get to our parents to let them know that you have a role to play. Find out what's going on with your child so that you two can help defuse situations before they escalate out of control," Barton explained.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call HCSO at 813-247-8200.
SIGN UP: Click here to sign up for the FOX 13 daily newsletter