2 Additional Suspects Sought In Deadly Ybor City Mass Shooting

TAMPA, FL — Authorities are searching for two additional suspects in connection with a mass shooting that killed two people and injured more than a dozen others in Tampa's Ybor City neighborhood over the weekend.

Tampa police previously said at least two shooters opened fire just before 3 a.m. Sunday in the 1600 block of East Seventh Avenue as bars closed and scores of people in costumes spilled out on the streets. Authorities said the shooting stemmed from an argument between two groups of people.

Later Sunday, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said detectives arrested Tyrell Stephen Phillips, 22, in connection with the shooting. He was charged with second-degree murder with a firearm.

In a statement released Tuesday, Tampa police said detectives believe two additional suspects fired several gunshots during the shooting. Police also said the agency worked with the FBI to launch an online portal for people to submit tips related to the shooting.

“We are truly grateful for the support of our community and all the tips they have provided investigators so far," Bercaw said. "Even if you are not sure if the tip will be helpful, it may be just the evidence our detectives need."

Video of the shooting posted online showed people, many in Halloween costumes, drinking and talking on the street when about a dozen shots rang out, followed by about eight more seconds later. A stampede ensued, with some people toppling over metal tables and taking cover behind them. Video from the aftermath showed police officers treating several people lying wounded on the ground.

Two victims — a 14-year-old Black male and a 20-year-old white male — died from their injuries, police said. Sixteen additional victims were injured. As of Sunday night, police said five victims remained in the hospital.

While police have not released the names of those killed, Emmitt Wilson told The Associated Press that his 14-year-old son, Elijah, was among the fatalities. Wilson came to the scene Sunday after getting a call that his son was a victim.

“It’s madness to me. I don’t even feel like I’m here right now,” Wilson said. “I hope the investigators do their job.”

Harrison Boonstoppel was also killed in the shooting, his parents told WFLA. His mother described him as an "adventurous spirit and a huge love of cars."

“Guns started firing, and so they were all running away and according to his friends, he was saying, ‘Everybody drop to the ground, drop to the ground,” Brucie Boonstoppel told WFLA. "They all drop to the ground and then his two friends got up, and they say ‘Harrison, Harrison, let’s get going, let’s go,’ and they say he didn’t get back up."

Police are still investigating the reason for the fight between the two groups.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a former city police chief, lamented that Tampa was the focus of national attention for “yet another shooting in our country.”

“We've got to say, as a country, that enough is enough,” she said.

Castor also blamed Sunday's shootings on easy access to guns.

“Yet again, a senseless loss of life by those choosing to settle a dispute with firearms. Lives lost and others forever changed. To what end?" Castor asked. "The Tampa Police Department had 50 officers deployed in the area at the time, so this is not a law enforcement issue."

Meanwhile, as trick-or-treaters take to the streets Tuesday night, authorities said Ybor City residents should expect a heightened police presence in the area.

"Along with being in patrol cars, Tampa Police Officers will be patrolling on foot, bike, and horseback to ensure safety for all," Tampa police said in a statement. "Chief Bercaw will join officers on patrol in and around the Historic Ybor City area this evening."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.