In connection with a mass shooting that claimed two lives and injured 16 others during a Halloween celebration in Tampa’s Ybor City on October 29, a 14-year-old Florida boy has been arrested on gun charges, marking the second arrest tied to the tragic incident. The victims include 20-year-old Harrison Boonstoppel and a 14-year-old boy identified as Elijah Wilson.
The young teen, whose identity remains undisclosed due to his age, was apprehended on charges of being a minor in possession of a firearm while wearing a mask and carrying a concealed firearm. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “There is no reasonable explanation for a 14-year-old to be in possession of a firearm.” The arrest is seen as a significant development in an ongoing investigation that has involved the diligent efforts of officers and detectives.
The incident unfolded during an early-hours brawl in the popular Ybor City area, just after bars and restaurants had closed. At least two individuals opened fire, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 16 others, whose ages ranged from 18 to 27. Most of the injured have since been treated and discharged from the hospital, according to Bay News 9.
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Tyrell Phillips, 22, had been previously arrested on a charge of second-degree murder in connection to the killings and was being held without bond. The recent arrest of the 14-year-old comes after he was observed displaying a firearm before fleeing the scene on the night of the tragic event.
Authorities are still in pursuit of seven “persons of interest” identified from surveillance footage taken at the shooting scene. The investigation continues, and the arrests signify ongoing efforts to bring those responsible for the senseless violence to justice.
