Crime & Safety

Arrest Warrant Issued in Stinger Bar Homicide

The St. Petersburg Police Department has identified a suspect in the Sunday shooting.

The St. Petersburg Police Department is asking Tampa Bay area residents to keep their eyes open for a man wanted in connection with a Sunday shooting at Stinger Bar.

According to police, victim James Cason, 33, and Juan Javier Oquendo, 26, got into a verbal dispute outside the 2229 49th St. S. bar around 2 a.m. on Sunday. During the dispute, Oquendo is accused of pulling out a gun and shooting Cason to death.

A warrant for Cason’s arrest was issued Tuesday on first-degree murder charges. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the man’s arrest.

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Oquendo is described as being a Hispanic male who stands about 5 feet, 10 inches in height. He weighs an estimated 190 pounds and has a tattoo on his right arm of a human male face and various gang tattoos on his arms and back.

Anyone with information on Oquendo’s whereabouts is asked to please call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780. Anonymous tips may also be submitted via Tip-411 by text “SPPD” and your tip to 847-411 (Tip-411).

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Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department

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