Homicide Victim Left On Side Of Road 15 Hours Before 911 Called

MANGO, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal shooting that took place in the 100 block of Sycamore Lane in Tampa some time Saturday night but wasn't reported until at least 15 hours later.

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, the sheriff's office received a phone call about a man down on Sycamore Lane between U.S. 92 and State Road 574, east of Interstate 75 in Mango. Upon arrival, deputies found man dead with a gunshot wound to his upper body.

Further investigation revealed neighbors in the area heard what they described as fireworks or gunshots sometime between 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday. They did not report hearing the noise.

On Sunday afternoon, a passerby saw the man's body lying in the grass off the road and called 911.

Detectives are searching for two men of interest described as 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 1 inch tall and wearing a dark-colored face coverings. The two were last seen exiting Sycamore Lane toward Williams Road. It is unknown which direction the two went once they got onto Williams Road, or if they left on foot or got into a vehicle.

"Our detectives are looking for anyone who may have seen or heard something on Sycamore Lane and Williams Road last night," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "A man was left for dead, and there is someone out there who is responsible for it. If you have any information, please come forward. It could be the tip we need to solve what happened in this case."

If you have any information, you're asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.