16-Year-Old Arrested After Being Accused Of Shooting At Tampa Police

TAMPA, FL — Tampa police have arrested a 16-year-old accused of shooting at an unmarked patrol car Tuesday.

According to interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, plainclothes officers from the Tampa Police Department Street Anti-Crime Squad were patrolling in the 3600 block of 54th Street in an unmarked police car at 5:41 p.m. when they spotted a group of people gathered outside a home.

One of the people began shooting at the unmarked car. A bullet struck the front of the car, causing minor damage. Officers did not shoot back and no one was injured.

The group dispersed and the shooter fled from the scene.

"I am grateful the officers involved tonight were not injured as a result of the dangerous actions by this suspect," said Bercaw. "This is just one example of the unforeseen circumstances our personnel face every single day."

Using information provided by members of the community, police were able to identify and arrest the 16-year-old. He faces three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The firearm was located at a nearby home where the teen attempted to conceal it.

At the same time, police arrested a 17-year-old who was with the 16-year-old after police discovered there were warrants for his arrest for aggravated battery and using a firearm with great bodily harm, robbery with a firearm and attempted first-degree murder, all unrelated to Tuesday's shooting.

"Within hours of the shooting, detectives were able to identify and arrest those involved because of the assistance we received from concerned neighbors," said Interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "That pertinent information, along with surveillance video located in the nearby area, allowed officers to quickly take the shooter into custody. I commend all those who came forward and heeded the message we cannot repeat enough in law enforcement: if you see something , say something. I hope this incident shows just how much we can accomplish when we all work together. Today, two guns are off the street, and a community is more at ease thanks to the partnership from concerned neighbors who did the right thing by coming forward with information that led to the arrests overnight."