Man Shot At Tampa Gentlemen’s Club: Hillsborough County Sheriff

TAMPA, FL — Two suspects were arrested after a man was shot at a Tampa nightclub early Monday morning, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Several patrol deputies heard multiple gunshots coming from Secrets Gentlemen’s Club at 8829 W. Hillsborough Ave. just before 2 a.m. As they arrived, they saw a white SUV leaving the club.

Detectives at the club found the victim, 39-year-old Joar Michel, with a gunshot wound to his shoulder, the sheriff’s office said.

Patrol deputies initiated a traffic stop on the SUV seen leaving the club a short time later, but the driver, 34-year-old Kenneth Jackson, didn’t comply.

HCSO’s Aviation Unit responded to follow the SUV and guided deputies to its location. The Tampa Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol also helped to stop the vehicle.

After several minutes of following the vehicle, Jackson approached a stop sign, where deputies were able to box the SUV to prevent it from fleeing again.

Jackson fled on foot until the Tampa Police Department arrested him, the sheriff’s office said. Jafet Rodriguez, 39, the passenger and shooter, was arrested without incident.

Rodriguez was charged with attempted murder in the first degree, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Jackson was charged with resisting an officer without violence, no valid driver’s license, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, and being a principal to attempted murder in the first degree.