17-Year-Old Killed, Five Men Injured in Tampa Shooting: Police Investigating

A tragic shooting in Tampa has left one teenager dead and five men injured after gunfire erupted outside an apartment complex early Thursday morning.

According to the Tampa Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call just after 1 a.m. in the 6000 block of Woodville Street. Upon arrival, officers found three victims: a 21-year-old man, a 19-year-old man, and a 17-year-old boy.

The teenager was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries. His identity has not yet been released. The two other victims at the scene sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Roughly 30 minutes later, two additional men — ages 22 and 21 — showed up at West Platt and South Willow Avenue and told police they had also been shot at the apartment complex. A sixth victim, a 19-year-old man, later took himself to the hospital. Fortunately, those three victims also sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

All six victims were outside at the time of the shooting. Investigators believe the incident may have been motivated by a prior dispute.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw released a statement condemning the violence:

“No family should have to endure this kind of pain. Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this senseless gun violence. This will not be tolerated in our city. Our detectives are working diligently to identify and bring those responsible to justice. We need the community’s help. If you saw something, heard something, or know something, come forward. Your information could be the key to giving these families the justice they deserve.”

At this time, detectives are actively working to identify suspects. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Tampa Police at 813-231-6130 or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

Could the Apartment Complex Face Liability?

While the criminal investigation focuses on identifying and prosecuting the shooter, there may also be civil liability questions regarding the apartment complex where the shooting occurred.

In Florida, property owners — including apartment complexes — have a legal duty to provide reasonable security measures to protect residents and visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. This area of law is known as negligent security.

Potential factors investigators and attorneys may examine include:

• History of prior crimes in or near the complex (if the area has a record of shootings, robberies, or assaults, the complex should have heightened security).
• Lighting and visibility in parking lots and outdoor common areas.
• Security cameras or lack thereof.
• Access control measures, such as gates, locks, or patrols.
• Response protocols to disturbances or reports of threats.

If it can be shown that the apartment complex failed to implement adequate safety measures despite knowledge of potential risks, the victims and their families may have grounds for a negligent security lawsuit.

For the family of the 17-year-old victim, a wrongful death claim may be pursued under Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 768.16 – 768.26). Such a claim allows surviving family members to seek compensation for funeral costs, emotional pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and other damages.

The surviving victims may also bring personal injury claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term physical and emotional trauma.

Even though the ultimate blame lies with the shooter, civil claims may extend to property owners or management companies if their negligence contributed to unsafe conditions where the shooting occurred.

Gun violence leaves lasting scars on families and communities. While police work to identify and apprehend the suspect, it’s important for victims’ families to know they may have legal recourse in addition to the criminal process.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we have experience handling negligent security and wrongful death cases across Florida. Our attorneys fight to hold property owners accountable when their failure to provide adequate safety leads to tragedy.

If you or your loved one has been impacted by a violent crime at an apartment complex or other property, contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.