In the wake of a deadly shooting in SoHo that left two people dead and one injured, the Tampa Police Department is taking action. They will hold a town hall meeting to address community safety concerns.
The @TampaPD team will continue to work alongside residents to reduce violent crime and, while these crimes have not been random, we must all do what we can to keep Tampa safe. (🧵2/2)
— Jane Castor (@JaneCastor) May 13, 2024
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Recent Violence in Public Areas
Sunday’s incident is part of a troubling trend of violence in popular areas. In April, three people were shot near Armature Works, and last fall saw a deadly mass shooting in Ybor City. These events have heightened community concerns about safety.
Tampa Police release new video showing moments before deadly SoHo area shooting.
The new video shows both surveillance and bodycam footage of what happened in a shooting that left two dead and one injured. #shooting 🧐 pic.twitter.com/NbmPIzwVh0
— T_CAS videos (@tecas2000) May 14, 2024
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Community Engagement
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw emphasized the importance of community involvement. “I met with business owners in SoHo, and these meetings make a difference because working together makes Tampa safer,” Bercaw said. “We get a lot of great feedback and appreciation. In SoHo, everyone applauded the police, which is encouraging.”
Bercaw stressed that community vigilance is crucial. “We can’t stop anyone without a reason. If citizens see something suspicious, they should call us or alert a police officer. This can help prevent incidents.”
Upcoming Town Hall Meeting
The next town hall will be held on Wednesday night, specifically for SoHo business owners and residents. The goal is to address safety concerns following the recent shooting.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw met with business owners and homeowners after a deadly shooting in SoHo over the weekend. https://t.co/6093iQbg9L
— ABC Action News (@abcactionnews) May 14, 2024
Read: Chief Lee Bercaw Vows Action Against Gun Violence in Tampa
Collaborative Effort to Combat Gun Violence
City leaders hope the town hall at the Jewish Community Center will generate new ideas to combat gun violence. They believe community collaboration is key to finding effective solutions.
Incidents involving stolen guns and teenagers committing shootings have shocked residents. Recently, a 14-year-old participated in a mass shooting near Ybor bars on Halloween. In another case, authorities are trying teenagers as adults for attempted murder over a water-throwing incident. The latest violence in SoHo has further escalated concerns.
Meeting Details
Tonight’s town hall meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. and is expected to last an hour. City Councilman Bill Carlson will also be in attendance to address community concerns.
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