Frat Brothers Hold Off Armed Robbers

When someone knocked on the door of a University of South Florida fraternity brother’s home bright and early Friday morning, he had no cause for alarm.

After all, the student was playing host to a gathering at his Sunridge Palms Drive condo. Since the party was still going on at 3:50 a.m., he assumed the knock signaled the arrival of another frat brother, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

When the man opened the door, however, he was greeted by two unknown men instead of an invited guest, deputies say. One of the men had an assault rifle in tow.

“No words were exchanged,” Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay wrote in an email to media. The man with the rifle pointed it at the victim and began to walk to the door.

“He’s got a gun,” the victim announced, attempting to shut the door. While those inside the home were able to hold the door shut, it didn’t close before a single bullet was fired inside.

No one was injured.

Now deputies would very much like to speak to the two suspects in the case. Crime Stoppers is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

The suspects are described as:

• Suspect No. 1 – A black or Hispanic male in his early 20s. He stands about 5 feet, 9 inches in height and weighs an estimated 170 pounds. The man has big eyes, a thin trimmed goatee and mustache and was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, long shorts and tan boots.
• Suspect No. 2 – He is also described as a black of Hispanic male in his 20s. Like his accomplice, witnesses say he stands about 5 feet, 9 inches in height and weighs about 170 pounds. He was wearing a dark blue or black hoodie and jeans. A facial description was not obtained since a bandana covered most of his face. This man is the one who was armed with a black assault rifle, deputies say.

Anyone with any information in the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips may also be submitted online at www.crimestopperstb.com or by texting CSTB plus the tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Crime Stoppers’ TipSumbit Mobile app may also be used.

Image via Shutterstock

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