A 14-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to a Halloween weekend mass shooting that took place in Tampa’s Ybor City, resulting in two deaths and 16 injuries. The charges were announced by Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez during a news conference on Wednesday night. Lopez emphasized the need to address juvenile gun violence in the community.
The teenager is also facing charges of attempted aggravated battery and attempted murder related to the shooting, as confirmed by Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. The investigation connected the teen to the 20-year-old victim, Harrison Boonstoppel, through bullets and shell casings. The incident occurred during the early morning hours of October 29th when an argument between two groups celebrating Halloween turned violent in one of Tampa’s entertainment districts.
Following the shooting, Tyrell Stephen Phillips, 22, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder with a firearm. Phillips is accused of killing 14-year-old Elijah Wilson. During a recent hearing, Phillips’ father claimed that the shooting was an act of self-defense. However, the prosecution argued otherwise, suggesting that the teenager charged with Boonstoppel’s murder had a prior criminal record.
The 14-year-old will be charged as an adult, as allowed under Florida law for various violent and non-violent felonies. State Attorney Suzy Lopez stated that although the teenager had previous encounters with the juvenile justice system, he would now be treated as an adult.
While the investigation continues, the police are actively searching for other suspects involved in the shooting. It is important to note that neither the teenage defendant nor Phillips have been charged with any of the other shootings that occurred on the same night.
During the news conference, Brucie Boonstoppel, the mother of Harrison Boonstoppel, expressed her grief and called for community action to prevent such senseless acts of violence in the future.
The tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence, particularly involving juveniles, and the urgent need for measures to address this problem in Tampa’s community.
