TAMPA, Fla. — A 22-year-old was arrested in connection to a deadly shooting between two groups on a busy stretch of Ybor City on Halloween weekend, according to the Tampa police chief.
Tyrell Philips faces a charge of second-degree murder with a firearm after a 14-year-old and 20-year-old were killed and 16 other people were hurt, Tampa Police Department Chief Lee Bercaw announced during an update Sunday afternoon.
Of the 16 people hurt, 15 were shot and one other was seriously injured, Bercaw said. Many of the additional victims, who ranged in age from 18-27 years old, have been medically treated and released from the hospital.
Five remain in the hospital, recovering from their injuries.
"My heart goes out to the families and their extended families," Bercaw said. "This is extremely tragic, but the families all told me that they are so appreciative of the work of the police and that they want justice, and they are appreciative of the community coming forward and providing tips that helped us place those charges today."
It's believed at least two shooters opened fire just before 3 a.m. Sunday in the area of East 7th Avenue and North 17th Street, said Bercaw during an initial news conference. That's located near popular bars and restaurants, including Bradley's on 7th and Ybor City Tap House.
According to the police chief, two groups had some sort of "dispute" on the main strip of Ybor City before shots were fired. The gunfire happened just as the bars were letting out. It sent people running, leaving debris and trash scattered all over the area.
Video from social media showed people on the street in Halloween costumes. As shots were heard, people screamed and tried to get away from the danger.
The police chief said the arrest was made in part by the community's efforts. He said the law enforcement received a "plethora" of tips.
"I want you to know that what happened is completely unacceptable, and the Tampa Police Department is not going to tolerate it. We make an arrest quickly," Bercaw said.
Said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: “Unfortunately, this morning we were on the national news about yet another shooting in our country. A shooting where individuals had a dispute and decided to end that dispute with firearms.
So now we have lives that have been lost and other lives that have been permanently altered. We have got to say as a country that enough is enough.”
Florida State Attorney Suzy Lopez said during the news conference: “The state’s attorney’s office is working side-by-side with our law enforcement partners to hold the wrongdoers accountable for this morning’s despicable and horrific acts of gun violence on 7th Avenue in historic Ybor City.
"We will assist in the investigation and stand ready to vigorously prosecute anyone who resorts to senseless gun violence and harms our community.”
Anyone who was in the area or who has video of what happened is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130.
Castor made the following statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to the shooting:
"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. We can affect one half of this equation."