Rise in Gun Violence Prompts Plea from Tampa Police

Gun-related deaths and crimes are up throughout Tampa and police are asking for resident help to curb the numbers.

“An increase in illegal guns on the streets, drug activity and retaliation between groups has led to a recent increase in gun violence,” the department explained in an email to media. “In the majority of the cases, witnesses and even victims are reluctant to cooperate with detectives. The Tampa Police Department is urging citizens to get involved to stop the violence.”

That plea was issued Monday along with statistics that explain the alarm. The department reports that the numbers of gun-related crimes are up dramatically for the period of Jan. 1 through March 23. Here’s a look at the agency’s statistics:

Aggravated battery with a gun

• 2014: 22
• 2015: 48 (18 arrests)

Total gun offenses

• 2014: 164
• 2015: 235

Homicides

• 2014: 7
• 2015: 13 (4 arrests)

Guns stolen

• 2014: 52
• 2015: 117

Guns recovered

• 2014: 290
• 2015: 338

Accidental shootings

• 2014: 0
• 2015: 4

The agency points to three recent shooting deaths as examples of the escalation, two of which occurred on March 14. In one case, 16-year-old Jamylin Turner was shot and killed by playing basketball in Robles Park. Police say his friends may have been the intended target. In the other, Ikeim Boswell, 16, was shot and killed accidentally when he and friends were playing with a gun found in a relative’s home. Then on March 22, a 14-year-old Richard Newton was at an outdoor birthday party when violence broke out that turned to gun play. The teen was shot and killed at the scene.

Anyone with information about open investigations is urged to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-873-TIPS.

Image via Shutterstock

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