Halloween celebrations took a devastating turn in Tampa, Florida, as a confrontation between two groups resulted in a deadly shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning. The incident left two people dead and 18 others hospitalised, according to local authorities cited by news agency Associated Press. One suspect is in custody, and law enforcement is actively seeking at least one more individual in connection with the incident, AP's report mentioned.
The event unfolded just before 3 a.m. on the 1600 block of East 7th Avenue in the Ybor City area, where late-night Halloween revelers had gathered. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw held a press conference at the scene to provide preliminary details on the incident.
The street where the fight occurred is known for its bars and clubs, and it was teeming with people as many nightspots closed their doors early on Sunday. Bercaw noted that hundreds of individuals were present in the area when the violence erupted, the report stated. It remains unclear whether those involved in the fight had been patrons of any of the establishments in the vicinity before the shooting occurred.
Tampa police spokeswoman Jonee Lewis confirmed that one individual had been detained in connection with the incident, although no charges were filed at the time of reporting, as per AP. Lewis stated, "They're being questioned, and we'll go from there." Investigations into the exact circumstances of the deadly confrontation are ongoing.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims, but one grieving father, Emmitt Wilson, revealed that his 14-year-old son, Elijah, was among those who tragically lost their lives. "It's madness to me. I don't even feel like I'm here right now. I hope the investigators do their job and find out who killed my son," Wilson, grappling with his profound loss, said, as quoted by AP.
Videos posted online captured the chaotic scene. The footage shows people, many dressed in Halloween costumes, socialising on the street when multiple shots rang out, followed by more shots a few seconds later, prompting a stampede. Terrified individuals toppled over metal tables and sought refuge behind them. Subsequent videos depicted police officers providing aid to several injured individuals on the ground, the report mentioned.
(Disclaimer: ABP could not independently check the veracity of the videos.)
Tampa Mayor's Call For Gun Control
The motive behind the confrontation between the two groups is still under investigation, according to Chief Bercaw. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a former city police chief, expressed her frustration with the recurring incidents of gun violence, highlighting the ease of access to firearms as a significant concern.
In a statement, Mayor Castor remarked, "Yet again, a senseless loss of life by those choosing to settle a dispute with firearms. Lives lost and others forever changed. To what end? The Tampa Police Department had 50 officers deployed in the area at the time, so this is not a law enforcement issue. Bad decisions made in a split second and the proliferation of readily available guns are responsible for these almost daily incidents."