Riverview Teen Arrested in Tampa Toddler’s Shooting

TAMPA, FL — When a spray of bullets was fired at a Tampa home Wednesday afternoon, a little girl was struck by a ricochet. One of two people believed to be responsible for the gunfire that left the 21-month-old injured is now in custody. Tampa Police say they are continuing to search for the second suspect in the case.

The arrest of a 17-year-old Riverview boy in connection with the shooting was announced Friday afternoon. According to Tampa Police, the boy now faces aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied dwelling charges.

The incident that led to the teen’s arrest unfolded around 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 16. Police say the girl’s father, Eduardo Avila, 24, was standing outside his apartment when he was approached by several men. The men allegedly made threatening comments to Avila, who retreated inside his home.

“Shortly after he closed the door, an estimated 15 shots were fired at the front door and in the area in front of the house,” police wrote in an email to media. “One of the bullets that went through the front door ricocheted off a wall and struck Avila’s daughter.”

There were four people inside the apartment at the time of the incident: Avila, his daughter, another child and the injured girl’s mother. The others were not injured, but the toddler had to be hospitalized for treatment of a gunshot wound to her thigh, police said. She has since been released from the hospital.

Police have not said how they connected the teen to the shooting. The boy was arrested Thursday night after warrants were issued for his arrest and another man's. Police have not released the identity of the second man wanted in connection with the shooting. Patch is not releasing the name of the teen charged due to his age.

No further information is available at this time.

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