Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 7-29-16 Online Edition

Local
By The Grace Of God:
5 Years After Tragedy, Mother Of Slain Teenager Keeps Going
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Five years ago, two Tampa families were devastated by the deaths of two young adults. Both were innocent bystanders shot while attend- ing a party.
Now, 5 years after the tragedy, Ms. Vanetta Scott is remembering the young adults by having a commu- nity event. The event will take place on Saturday, July 30th, 4 p.m., at the Progress Village Park, 8802 Allamanda Av- enue.
“It has been five years since this tragedy happened and it has not been easy. But, by the grace of God, some- times I breakdown, but I keep going.
“We are going to have a community event in the memory of my daughter, Iesha Washington, and Craig Thompson, Jr. We want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves. There
IESHA WASHINGTON
7/17/1993 --- 7/29/2011 (Photo taken from Facebook)
will be basketball and football games where Team Iesha will take on Team Craig. It is free and open to the public,” Ms. Scott said.
She further stated, “Every time I have something, I open with prayer and I close with prayer. I thank God for giving me the strength and for those who have stood by me since
CRAIG A. THOMPSON
3/5/1989 --- 7/29/2011 (Photo taken from Facebook)
the beginning.”
On the night of July 29,
2011, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office re- sponded to shots being fired at the International Chemical Workers Union Council, Local 439 Clubhouse, 5020 U. S. Highway 41.
Police said more than 400 people were at a party where gunfire erupted. Deputies dis- covered that Ms. Iesha Washington, 18, and 22- year-old Craig Thompson were fatally injured.
Within days of the shoot- ing, police arrested Tyrell Sidney Bragg, who was convicted of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison in
October 2013.
At the time of the incident,
police said at least two guns were fired. So far, no one has been arrested in connection with Thompson’s murder. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said there are no new developments in the case.
However, if anyone has any new information he or she is encouraged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247- 8200, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said.
Anyone with any informa- tion reference the suspect is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 247- 8200 or anyone with any in- formation regarding the identity and whereabouts of this suspect and who wants to be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), re- port anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com or send a mobile tip using our P3 Tips Mobile application, which is a free download for iPhones, iPads and Droids.
You must call Crime Stop- pers first to be eligible for a
reward.
About The Victims Ms. Washington had celebrated her 18th birthday just 12 days before her death. She was preparing to enter Spoto High School as a senior in the fall. Her mother was presented her diploma at the
end of the school year.
Ms. Washington en-
joyed playing softball and was a member of her school’s soft- ball team.
Thompson, the son of Craig Thompson, Sr., and Ms. Nitaka Walker, was a Tampa native and attended the public schools of Hillsbor- ough County. He graduated from Blake High School in 2007. A resident of Progress Village, he was a member of St. James A. M. E. Church.
He enjoyed sports, espe- cially basketball, football, and hanging out with his friends. He was about to become a first-time father at the time of his death.
Ms. Scott said the Me- morial Gathering is free and open to the public. If anyone wishes to help with refresh- ments contact Ms. Scott at (813) 644-6560.
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A