3 Teens Arrested, 10 Guns Confiscated By Tampa Police

TAMPA, FL — In the Tampa Police Department's continuing effort to take guns off the streets and out of the hands of teens, detectives made headway Monday night when they arrested three armed teens and confiscated 10 guns.

Detectives began investigating after two people were arrested in a June 14 shooting in a game room at the West River Boulevard apartments in Tampa.

Detectives began developing additional leads in the case and learned that multiple teens who were possibly armed were hanging out at an apartment at 2004 N. Howard Ave.

Detectives conducted surveillance and saw multiple people leaving the apartment, including a 17-year-old who was armed with a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun. A second 17-year-old was found to be armed with a Beretta .22-caliber handgun with the serial number removed.

As detectives made these two arrests, additional officers monitoring the Howard Avenue apartment encountered four other teens, including a 16-year-old armed with a Taurus .40-caliber handgun.

Officers obtained a warrant for the apartment where the teens were hanging out and found multiple guns in plain view and seven more during a search, two of which were listed as stolen.

"It is deeply concerning that these juveniles not only have access to guns, but they have a disregard for the safety of others," said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "Thanks to the dedication of our detectives and officers who prove their commitment every day to making Tampa safer, 10 guns are now out of the hands of juveniles and cannot be used to hurt a member of our community."

The Tampa Police Department provides free gun locks to residents as part of its Project Locked & Unloaded. Residence can pick up a free gun lock at any of the Tampa police district offices or Tampa Police Headquarters.