'I Realize I'm Not Lucky At All Anymore,' Said Mother Of Slain Bystander In Mass Shooting

TAMPA, FL — Tampa police detectives have arrested 21-year-old Dwayne Eugene Tillman Jr. and charged him in connection with the Oct. 29 shooting that left two dead and 16 injured, announced Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw during a news conference with Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez late Thursday afternoon.

“I can tell you that while this arrest is a huge and significant development in this case, our work is not done,” said Tampa Police Chief Bercaw said. “We will continue to hold those accountable for any act of violence this incident or any other incident in the city of Tampa."

During the continuing investigation into the shooting, detectives determined that Tillman arrived in the 1600 block of East 7th Avenue in Historic Ybor City accompanied by 14-year-old Elijah Wilson, another 14-year-old now identified as Kayden Abney, and other acquaintances on Oct. 29 just before the Ybor City bars and nightclubs closed at 3 a.m.

Bercaw said Tillman, Abney and the others in their group got into a fight with Phillips and his friend.

According to video footage and witness statements, right after Phillips shot Wilson, he began running away. Tillman can be seen on the video right after the shooting, running away and then abruptly turning and firing a handgun.

On Thursday, Tillman was arrested and charged with attempted murder with a firearm and attempted aggravated battery with great bodily harm.

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Just a day before, on Wednesday, a 14-year-old boy originally arrested on Nov. 16 and charged with minor in possession of a firearm while wearing a mask and carrying a concealed firearm was hit with new charges.

Kayden Abney was additionally charged with second-degree murder in the death of bystander 20-year-old Harrison Boonstoppel of Tampa, attempted aggravated battery and attempted murder.

Lopez said the teen, Kayden Abney, will be prosecuted as an adult due to the severity of the crime.

Despite his age, Lopez said Abney is intimately familiar with Hillsborough County's justice system. He has 11 cases pending against him in juvenile court, said Lopez.

“This defendant is the perfect example of why we must take a strong stance against juvenile gun violence in our community,” Lopez said. “He is no stranger to the juvenile justice system, but he will no longer be treated like a juvenile.”

Police patrolling the area and a fire rescue medical unit working at another case in the area heard the gunfire and were on the scene within minutes of the Oct. 29 mass casualty event.

Wilson died at the scene. Boonstoppel was rushed to Tampa General Hospital where he died from his injuries.

In an emotional interview with Boonstoppel's mother, Brucie, she said her son, who was in Ybor City that Saturday night to enjoy the Halloween festivities, was struck by a bullet that went through his organs into his heart.

“The bullet that killed my son went through all his organs, up into his heart, put a big hole in his heart," she said.

Brucie Boonstoppel, who said she'd always been a mother hen, closely monitoring her son's activities and whereabouts, admitted she made a mistake in thinking the popular entertainment district in Tampa was a safe, friendly environment.

“This is not the environment that our kids should have, where our kids have a chance to die on the streets of Tampa,” Brucie Boonstoppel said.

She said he's always considered herself lucky to raise a bright, friendly, good-humored, well-adjusted son to manhood.

"You think you have some kind of bubble that things like that won’t happen to you because you’re the person that’s caring about the world," said Brucie Boonstoppel. "And I realize I’m not lucky at all anymore."

"It should be clear to anyone at this point that if you participate in criminal activity, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, and justice will be found for those who suffered from your actions," said Bercaw Thursday."This additional arrest is another demonstration of our commitment to holding criminals accountable, and I can only hope it provides a small sense of closure for the families of all those who have been impacted."

"I commend the Tampa Police Department for their relentless efforts in finding those responsible for these senseless shootings," said Lopez. "When this defendant opened fire on historic 7th Avenue, he put hundreds of lives in danger. Anyone who shows that type of disregard for human life should face serious consequences."

This is the third arrest in connection with the fatal shooting on Oct. 29.

Within hours after the shooting, 22-year-old Tyrell Phillips was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder for his role in the fatal shootings.

“What happened here is unacceptable, and our community has come together to hold all those (suspects) responsible,” Bercaw said. “We’re still looking for additional shooters. We still encourage the community to submit tips to the FBI portal or Crime Stoppers.”

State and federal law enforcement partners have supplemented the Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay's original reward of $5,000, raising the current total to $27,000.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement added $5,000; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives added $5,000 and the FBI added $12,000.

Those with information regarding the shooting or who took video of the shooting are asked to submit via the tip or video on the FBI's online portal named "FBI/Tampa shooting."