Police Arrest Suspect in Tarpon Springs Shooting

Tarpon Springs Police say tips they received from the public led them to a man suspected in a shooting and attempted robbery Saturday night.

Police arrested Elvin Joel Velez Pacheco, 35, at his Clearwater home Monday evening after receiving tips that Pacheco had been talking about the shooting, according to Captain Jeffrey Young of the Tarpon Springs Police Department.

Investigators say Pacheco walked out of a wooded area with a gun and approached a man and a woman as they were walking on a sidewalk on South Walton Ave. around 9:30 Saturday night. The man was shot when he tried to grab Pacheco's gun.

A cell phone found at the scene of the shooting was confirmed to belong to Pacheco, according to Tarpon Springs Police. Investigators also say the crime appears to be a random armed robbery with a cash motive.

Pacheco is being charged with attempted murder and attempted armed robbery and has been taken to the Pinellas County Jail.

"Detectives are still attempting to locate the firearm used, and following up
on other investigative leads in this case," Captain Young added.