Man Charged With Hate Crime For Using Racial Slurs, Firing Gun: Police

TAMPA, FL — A man accused of firing a gun outside a South Tampa bar after yelling racial slurs at a security guard on Monday has been taken into custody, according to Tampa police.

Just before 9 p.m. on Nov. 21, the Tampa Police Department said officers responded to the SOHO Saloon, 410 S. Howard Ave., for a report of shots being fired.

Investigators said Dustin McCann, 30, had been escorted from the bar for causing a disturbance by repeatedly using a racial slur toward a Black male security guard.

Shortly after, according to witnesses, McCann got into his vehicle parked across the street and, as he drove away, witnesses reported McCann fired multiple gunshots from his vehicle into the air while yelling "White Power," police said.

Tampa police detectives said they identified McCann and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On Tuesday night, with the help of the Arcadia Police Department, McCann was found and arrested.

He has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle All charges will be enhanced with Florida's #HateCrime Statute 775.085 demonstrating prejudice while committing an offense, police said.

"Racist conduct like this has no place in our community, which is why our Tampa police officers worked swiftly to find this suspect in less than 24 hours and bring him to justice., said Tampa Police Chief Mary O'Connor. "He will now be held accountable for his criminal actions."