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2023 Ybor City shooting

Coordinates: 27°57′33″N 82°26′32″W / 27.9591°N 82.4422°W / 27.9591; -82.4422
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2023 Ybor City shooting
LocationYbor City, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
DateOctober 29, 2023; 12 months ago (2023-10-29) (EDT)
Attack type
Mass shooting, double-murder, pedicide
Deaths2
Injured16
AccusedTyrell Phillips
Dwayne Tillman, Jr
Kayden Abney

On October 29, 2023, at around 3:00 am, a mass shooting occurred in the Ybor City district of Tampa, Florida, United States, at the popular tourist area of 7th Ave. A fight broke out between two groups, killing 20-year-old Harrison Boonstoppel and 14-year-old Elijah Wilson, and injuring 16 others. Three suspects have been arrested, one at the scene, while police believe another is at large.

The suspects are believed to be members of the “No Hesitation Committee” (NHC) and K4K, which police say means “Kill for Kamari”, a reference to a friend; Kamari Kerr, who died four years earlier. They say the group’s initials stand for “Kindness for Kamari”. The suspects are believed to be former students of Braulio Alonso and A. P. Leto High Schools. When the suspects appeared in court, prosecutors presented online video evidence of escalating tensions between the two groups.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Accused

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One suspect has been arrested and identified as Tyrell Phillips. According to court documents, Philips told police he got into an altercation with a group of people, resulting in him shooting in fear for his safety.[7] Investigators believe additional people fired during the shooting.[8]

Over a month after the shootings, 14-year-old Kayden Abney[9] and 21-year-old Dwayne Tillman Jr. were arrested and charged in relation to the shootings.[10] Police believe there is sill at least one more shooter at large.

Reactions

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A day after the shooting, Gwen Henderson, a Tampa council member, suggested that businesses close at 1:00 am for six months following the shooting. Community members and business owners claimed it was "another gut punch" and would not bring light to the real issues. The proposal was rejected.[11]

On November 14, Ybor City hosted a meeting to discuss how to move forward after October 29. Speakers at the meeting expressed frustration and disappointment with the city.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Sullivan, Dan (July 17, 2024). "Does Tampa Bay have a gang problem?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  2. ^ Razek, Raja (October 29, 2023). "22-year-old charged in Tampa shooting that killed 2 and injured 16". CNN. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  3. ^ "Suspect arrested in Tampa shooting that killed 2, injured 18". CBS News. October 29, 2023. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ybor City Shooting: Suspect accused of opening fire killing 2, injuring 16 makes first court appearance". Fox News. October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Galarza, Monica (October 29, 2023). "Suspect in deadly Ybor City shooting, Tyrell Phillips, due in court". NBC News. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  6. ^ Jacobo, Julia (October 29, 2023). "2 dead, 18 injured in Tampa street shooting, police say". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  7. ^ "Prosecutors file murder charge against Ybor City shooting suspect". Tampa Bay Times.
  8. ^ Gehrt, Amy (7 November 2023). "Tampa police release video of people of interest in Ybor City shooting". Tampa Bay Times.
  9. ^ "14-year-old facing new charges in deadly Ybor City shooting for shooting, killing 20-year-old Harrison Boonstoppel: Tampa police". Fox 13. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  10. ^ Moon, Evyn (7 December 2023). "Ybor City shooting: Third suspect arrested, reward increased to $27K as search continues for another suspect". Fox 13. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  11. ^ George, Olivia (3 November 2023). "Residents back Ybor businesses to reject closing early in response to deadly shooting". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  12. ^ Mills, Chad (15 November 2023). "After Ybor City shooting, community shares possible solutions with Tampa Police". abcactionnews. ABC. Retrieved 15 November 2023.

27°57′33″N 82°26′32″W / 27.9591°N 82.4422°W / 27.9591; -82.4422