TAMPA, FL — Residents headed to Ybor City this weekend to enjoy the historic district’s bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shops can expect to see a lot more Tampa police officers walking the beat.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw announced that there will be a marked increase in police presence following last Sunday’s shooting that killed two people and injured 16 others.
Along with being in patrol cars, Tampa police will patrol on foot, bike and horseback.
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Among those hanging out in Ybor City this weekend will be Bercaw himself who told Tampa City Council members that he will be walking along sidewalks and speaking with patrons and anyone else who wants to discuss the shooting at Ybor City coffee shops.
The Tampa Police Department will be joined Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers to provide increased law enforcement visibility to make patrons and employees feel more at ease in the waking of the shootings.
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“Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the senseless act of violence that occurred Sunday morning,” said Bercaw. “We are doing everything in our power to bring everyone who was involved to justice, and we are asking for the community’s assistance. If anyone has any information that could help us in our investigation, please do not hesitate to share that information with investigators so we can provide justice for the victims.”
Tyrell Phillips, 22, turned himself in to police on Sunday for his part in the shootings. Bercaw said videos taken by bystanders confirmed Phillips’ claim that he shot back in self-defense.
Bercaw said at least two other shooters are being sought and is encouraging anyone with video of the shooting to download it to a portal set up on the FBI’s website specifically for all the video taken during the shooting.
The shooting occurred in the 1600 block of East 7th Avenue at 2:47 a.m., just before bars and nightclubs closed at 3 a.m. Bercaw said this section of 7th Avenue is populated by the most bars and nightclubs.
About 50 police officers assigned to patrol the busy entertainment district rushed to the scene at the sound of gunfire. A Tampa Fire Rescue squad was also attending to a nearby call when paramedics heard the gunfire and showed up to provide first aid for the wounded.
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Bercaw said the shooting was due to an argument between two groups of people, resulting in a 14-year-old boy dying at the scene and a 20-year-old dying at the hospital from gunshot wounds.
Bercaw said the 16 people who were wounded, 15 from gunshot wounds, ranged in age from 18 to 27 years old. Of those, all but five have been released from the hospital.
“We understand that the feeling of being safe is a priority for our community,” said Bercaw. “That is why we are committed to increasing the visibility of law enforcement in Ybor during the peak hours of activity. We believe this will help people feel more secure and allow them to enjoy their time here without fear or worry. This weekend’s initiative with our local law enforcement partners is one way we can do that. We look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure Tampa is a safe place for everyone who lives or visits here.”
Bercaw will begin his shift on Saturday at 8 p.m., meeting with community members and business partners for a cup of coffee at Caf Quiquiriqui, located inside the Hotel Haya at 1402 E. 7th Ave., before joining officers on patrol in and around historic Ybor City.
Tampa City Council chairman Guido Maniscalco said he and his wife will be in downtown Ybor City Saturday night as well.
The council has asked the chief to put together a community policing plan for Ybor City to prevent groups of people, many too young to enter the bars or nightclubs, from hanging out in parking lots along 7th Avenue.
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