Report: Dover Shooting Appears To Be Gang-Related

A man is in "extremely critical condition" following a post-midnight shooting in Dover that Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies believe is gang-related.

Deputies respsonded shortly after 1 a.m. June 17 to what reportedly was an exchange of gunfire between males in a car and attendees at a party at 3418 Lindsey St.

"Apparently three car loads of Hispanic males drove southbound on Lindsey Street while the occupants of at least two vehicles began to fire at the
residents who had gathered for a party," according to the report.

Party guests reportedly returned fire with a shotgun and a 9mm handgun.

Jose Luis Hernandez, 22, who was driving one of the vehicles, was shot in the back of the head, the report notes. Passengers then moved Herndandez to the back seat and drove him to South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, where he was dropped off. From there, Hernandez was flown to St. Joe's Hospital in Tampa, where he was reported in "extremely critical condition."

As of 2 p.m., there was no change in that condition, according to a call placed to the hospital.

The sheriff's report noted that the vehicle was abandoned and recovered in Plant City and was being processed for evidence.

Deputies reported that the incident "appears to be gang-related." Homicide detectives were working to verify that information and "to identify other suspects who were in the vehicles as well as those individuals who were inside the residence and retuned fire."