Tampa police arrest 1 of 2 suspected gunmen in shooting near Armature Works
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A 17-year-old boy was arrested shortly after the Tampa Police Department announced they identified the suspected gunmen in the shooting near Armature Works that left four people injured on Tuesday.
The teen, identified as Gabriel Catuy, was arrested around 3:14 p.m. and has since been charged as an adult with second-degree attempted murder with a firearm and a juvenile conviction of a felon in possession of a firearm.
‘We had nowhere to run’: Tampa woman recalls chaotic moments after shooting near Armature Works
According to police, the teen was identified with the help of a witness testimony and surveillance footage. Authorities are still searching for an additional suspect.
“The juvenile arrested earlier today will be charged as an adult. This defendant made an adult decision, and he will be held accountable for those actions,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez said. “We take gun violence very seriously in our community, and we must stand together to say enough is enough. We thank the Tampa Police Department for the thorough investigation and swift arrest.”
Shortly after 4 p.m., officers were called to the 1900 block of N. Ola Avenue for reports of multiple shots fired outside the Stones Throw Restaurant near Armature Works.
When officers arrived, they found three victims: a 47-year-old woman who was shot in the arm, a 28-year-old woman who was shot in the ankle, and a 36-year-old woman who was grazed by a bullet.
According to TPD, the 47-year-old and the 28-year-old were taken to the hospital in stable condition, while the 36-year-old was treated at the scene.
Based on a preliminary investigation, two groups of teen males between the ages of 13 and 17 were near Stones Throw Restaurant and got into a verbal altercation that quickly escalated into gunfire.
Following the altercation, both groups fled the scene. A short time later, one of the subjects involved showed up at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg. Police said the individual is believed to be affiliated with one of the groups involved in the dispute.
Witnesses and current evidence revealed that an individual from each group exchanged gunfire with one another in the “family environment.”
“This is completely unacceptable,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said Tuesday. “This is a family environment. The police officers were here quickly in this situation. We have really good leads on this. And again, I want to stress that this is not a targeted incident. This is a disturbance that quickly erupted unnecessarily into gunfire in a family environment.”
Florida woman forgets ABCs during sobriety test: ‘It was so many years ago’
At this time, police are working to determine if the firearms used in the incident were stolen. Officials have also identified persons of interest and are “actively following up on leads.”
“It is disheartening that yet again our community has to deal with senseless gun violence,” Bercaw said. “The lack of concern for the safety of others is not only alarming but disappointing because an incident of this nature does not reflect the true community within the City of Tampa. Together, we can work towards limiting the number of firearms juveniles have access to by properly securing firearms and locking vehicle doors.”
Anyone with additional video footage or information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or via TIP411.
This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
