Police in Florida have arrested a 14-year-old youngster on firearms charges in connection with a shooting that claimed the lives of two people, including another child, and left 16 others injured.
A second suspect was arrested in Tampa on Thursday in connection with the Halloween night shooting that took the lives of Harrison Boonstoppel, 20, and a 14-year-old Elijah Wilson, as the New York Post reported.
The teen (who will not be named to protect his identity) was arrested on charges of concealing a firearm and being a minor in possession of a firearm while wearing a mask.
Official Statements
“There is no reasonable explanation for a 14-year-old to be in possession of a firearm,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a press conference.
“I am incredibly proud of the hard work our officers and detectives continue to dedicate to this investigation, which has led to another significant arrest in the case," Bercaw added.
After clubs and restaurants in a busy area closed for the night, police claimed at least two persons got into a fight and shots were fired.
Two people were killed, while 16 others, aged 18 to 27, were injured. According to Bay News 9, most of the patients have been treated and released from the hospital.
The murder suspect, 22-year-old Tyrell Phillips, had previously been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder. No bond had been set for his detention.
The 14-year-old apprehended this week was witnessed flashing a gun before fleeing the area on the night of the massacre.
Next Moves
In order to guarantee his safe return to Tampa, the young man was being kept in Palm Beach County. The arrest of the juvenile suspect was praised by Chief Bercaw as a "great development."
“And this is one step forward in this case, and it shows that we are going to take swift and immediate action,” Tampa’s top cop added.
Police continue the search for seven additional “persons of interest” who were seen in a surveillance video from the scene of the shooting.
“You’re not going to get away with it,” Bercaw warned in a message to the culprits. “It’s unacceptable, and we’re here taking swift action.”
