Shooting at Halloween Celebrations in Ybor City Leaves Two Dead, 18 Injured
Tampa, FL – A night of Halloween celebrations in Ybor City turned deadly early Sunday morning when a shooting erupted, leaving two individuals dead and at least 18 others injured, according to Tampa police. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. near Centro Ybor in the 1600 block of East Seventh Avenue.
Upon receiving reports of the shooting, officers immediately responded to the scene where they found multiple injured individuals outside Tangra Nightclub and a 7-Eleven convenience store. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor revealed on social media that more than 50 officers were deployed in the area at the time of the incident.
“What should have been a night of fun and celebration turned into a senseless loss of life by those choosing to settle a dispute with firearms,” Mayor Castor stated on social media. “We had a significant police presence in the area, so this is not a law enforcement issue. We need to address the availability of guns and the bad decisions made by individuals.”
Authorities have identified Tyrell Stephen Phillips, 22, of Tampa, as a suspect in the shooting. He has been charged with second-degree murder and is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Videos posted on social media showed officers administering aid to costumed victims while others ran away from the sound of gunshots. One victim died at the scene, while another passed away at a hospital. The deceased victims have been identified as a 14-year-old Black male and a 22-year-old white male.
Of the 18 injured individuals, 15 sustained gunshot wounds, and one individual suffered serious injuries. Chief Lee Bercaw of the Tampa Police Department confirmed that one of the two handguns recovered at the scene was stolen. The investigation is ongoing, and it is not yet known if the shooting is gang-related or if additional suspects are being sought.
The shooting occurred on what is typically Ybor City’s busiest evening of the year due to Halloween festivities. The incident has led to discussions about the nightlife scene in Ybor City, with some developers expressing a desire to temper late-night activity.
Former Mayor Bob Buckhorn took to social media, stating, “Enough of the irresponsible clubs and the criminal element they attract. Time to go. Ybor deserves better.” However, Mayor Castor defended the overall safety of Ybor City and emphasized the need for stricter gun control measures.
This incident ranks among the most destructive gun violence incidents in Tampa Bay, with at least 20 victims. Gun safety organizations are calling for stricter firearm regulations to prevent further incidents like this.
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from local businesses in hopes of obtaining more information about the shooting. They urge anyone with information to contact the police or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay.
As the investigation continues, Tampa residents are grappling with the tragic loss of life and the need for comprehensive solutions to address gun violence in their community.
Times staff writers Jay Cridlin, Divya Kumar, Luis Santana, and Dan Sullivan contributed to this report.