Man Accused Of Killing Woman In Van After Argument: Sheriff

SEFFNER, FL — A suspect is accused of killing a Seffner woman in her 60s when deputies said he shot inside a van she sat in on Black Dairy Road Friday, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

The suspect, 63-year-old Ricky Batten, has been arrested for several charges: murder in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree and tampering with evidence, according to HCSO investigators.

Batten and the victim, who knew each other, were involved in a prior argument outside a home on Black Dairy the same day he is accused of shooting her, an HCSO news release said.

Later on, the victim and another person were sitting inside a van when Batten is accused by deputies of shooting inside the van after he walked near it. According to officers, he left the area afterward.

Deputies caught up with him near U.S. Highway 56 north of Fowler incident. Batten was taken into custody and booked in the Hillsborough County Jail, HCSO detectives said.

"With public safety in mind deputies immediately began searching for Batten,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Our aviation team was vital in spotting him, from the air, less than 10 miles away from the scene. They directed deputies on the ground to Batten, quickly and safely.”

*HCSO will not release the name of the victim due to Marsy's Law