A violent confrontation between two groups during Halloween festivities in Tampa, Florida, escalated into a shooting early Sunday morning, resulting in two fatalities and injuries to at least 18 individuals. The incident occurred around 3:00 a.m. near a popular nightlife area on East 7th Avenue, as reported by Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw.
According to Bercaw, the altercation began as a dispute between two groups amidst a crowd of hundreds of revelers. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, with innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. Footage of the incident, shared on social media, shows partygoers in Halloween costumes scrambling for safety as shots rang out.
The videos also depict attendees flipping tables for cover and police officers attending to the injured shortly after the shooting. Despite the presence of law enforcement officers on the scene when the shooting began, none were injured in the incident.
Bercaw urged anyone with video footage of the incident to come forward and assist the police in their investigation. He emphasized the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions. At least one individual involved in the shooting has surrendered and is currently in police custody, but at least one other shooter remains at large.
The police are yet to determine whether the individuals involved in the shooting had been patrons at any of the local clubs or bars prior to the incident. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, in her statement, highlighted that there were at least 50 police officers on the scene following the shooting.
Mayor Castor lamented the senseless loss of life and the lasting impact on those affected. She attributed the incident to poor decision-making and the easy accessibility of firearms, rather than a failure of law enforcement, as there was a significant police presence in the area at the time of the shooting.