Boy, 16, Shot Another Teen, Ran From Scene: Tampa Police

TAMPA, FL — A 16-year-old boy was arrested and charged in the Tuesday afternoon shooting of another teenager, authorities said.

The suspect was charged with premeditated attempted murder with a firearm in the first degree and aggravated battery causing greater bodily harm or using a deadly weapon (firearm), according to a Tampa Police Department news release.

Though police named the suspect, it’s Patch policy not to name minors accused of a crime unless they’ve been charged as an adult. It’s unknown whether he has been charged as a juvenile or an adult.

The shooting happened around 1 p.m. in the 2100 block of W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Investigators who arrived at the scene found a Black male in his mid-teens with a gunshot wound to his upper body, police said. He was brought to a local hospital and was still being treated Wednesday.

Surveillance video showed the suspect waiting in the alley of a nearby business just before the shooting. As the victim walked southbound on N. Albany Ave, the suspect walked towards the street, pointed a firearm toward the victim, and fired one round, police said.

He tried to shoot at the victim again, but the firearm jammed and he immediately ran from the scene.

The suspect was identified by another officer who frequently conducts curfew checks and the teen was taken into custody at his home.

Detectives are still investigating what led to the incident and how both parties are known to each other.

“There’s nothing more alarming than a blatant disregard for another person’s life,” Chief Lee Bercaw said. “Violence in our community and amongst juveniles will not be tolerated. I’m appreciative of all the hard work our detectives and officers did in less than 24 hours that led to this quick arrest. It is also due in part to the everyday efforts of officers assigned to juvenile checks that work to keep those with extensive criminal histories accountable.”