Page 34 - Florida Sentinel 4-6-18

Crime
Man Arrested For Killing, Burning Blind Woman
Police Identify Murder Suspect Killed In Shootout
Detectives with the Tampa Police Department have iden- tified a man killed in a shootout with police. The fatal shooting took place Sunday evening in East Tampa.
He has been identified as 41-year-old Timothy O. Wyatt, of Forest Park, Geor- gia.
According to police, the de- partment had been notified that Wyatt was believed to be in the Tampa area. Wyatt was wanted in connection with the murder of his girlfriend and for shooting her two sons. The boys are expected to survive their injuries. The murder took place in the City of South Fulton, Georgia Sunday morn- ing.
Shortly after 6 p. m., an of- ficer observed the 2017 white Chevy Impala in the area of N. 15th Street and E. Hillsborough Avenue. Upon seeing the offi- cers, Wyatt fled. A pursuit was initiated near E. Hillsbor- ough Avenue and N. Nebraska Avenue.
TIMOTHY WYATT
As the pursuit reached the area of Sligh Avenue and Ne- braska, Wyatt allegedly fired his weapon at the officer. At that point, the officer ended the pursuit and contacted Air Service, who continued to track him by air.
A short time later, the offi- cers observed the vehicle stopped at the intersection of N. 15th Street and E. 28th Av- enue. Wyatt is said to have jumped out of the car and im- mediately began firing at the
officers. He then approached Ms. Katrina Majurie, 32, of Tampa, and attempted to take her vehicle.
The officers fatally wounded Wyatt when they returned gunfire.
After the shooting, both Tampa Police and the Florida Highway Patrol attempted life- saving first aid. However, he died as a result of his injuries.
Steve Hegarty, spokes- man for the Tampa Police De- partment, said the department is not sure what connection Wyatt had, if any to Tampa. He also said police found two firearms beside his body.
The officers involved in the shooting were placed on ad- ministrative leave, as is the de- partment’s policy, pending the outcome of the investigation.
In keeping with depart- ment policy, the five unidenti- fied officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duties, pending the outcome of the investiga- tion.
VERONICA POLITE ... Murder Victim
A 23-year-old man is ac- cused of killing a blind woman and setting her body on fire. The woman’s body was discov- ered early Monday in the woods in Bradenton.
According to police, Ms. Veronica Polite, 50, who was legally blind, was last seen by her nephew with whom she lived. Her nephew said he heard her talking to an un- known man someone around 9:45 p.m., Sunday night. He said she left the house and he didn’t know where she went.
Two witnesses told police they had called Dakota Jib- son and asked him for a ride. The witnesses told police that Jibson picked them up at the City Walk Apartments, and they went to an apartment. When they returned, they saw Jibson and Ms. Polite flirt- ing. Jibson, the two wit- nesses, and the victim left the complex in the car.
The witnesses told police that Jibson dropped them off in the shopping center behind the Dairy Queen, at 53rd Av- enue and U. S. 41, in Braden-
DAKOTA TYLER JIBSON ... Charged with murder
ton, around midnight April 2nd. Ms. Polite was still in the car with Jibson.
Someone driving down a dirt path observed a fire and called 9-1-1 at 1:15 a.m. Police and the Southern Manatee Fire Department responded to the scene and found Ms. Po- lite’s body on fire..
The Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Ms. Polite died of severe head trauma caused by a blunt, sharp object, as well as severe burning.
After speaking with the witnesses, detectives con- ducted surveillance on Jib- son’s home in Bradenton.
Police said Jibson admit- ted meeting the victim at the complex while waiting on his friends.
While executing a search warrant on the vehicle, police said they found a large amount of blood in the back- seat.
When police returned to Jibson’s home, he ran away, but was captured a short time later.
Man Found Dead On North Tampa Sidewalk Identified
On Sunday morning, shortly before 10 a.m., police responded to the scene of a report of a man being down. When deputies with the Hillsborough County Sher- iff’s Office arrived, they dis- covered the man was dead.
The man was identified as 47-year-old James Ty- rone West. West’s body was discovered at 14007 N. 15th Street, lying on the side- walk. Police have not re- leased the cause of death, but have classified it as a murder.
During the course of the investigation, detectives gathered evidence that led
JAMES WEST
... Died Sunday morning
them to 38-year-old Wres- ley Torres, of Tampa.
Detectives have not given a motive for the murder and have not said what preceded the murder.
WRESLEY TORRES ... Charged with murder
A warrant was issued for Torres and he was located on Sunday. He was charged with aggravated battery and second-degree murder. His bond was set at $200,000.
Uncle Sandy says...
The fragrance of flowers 3, 9, 15, 27 spreads only in the direction of the wind. 8, 10, 35, 37 But the goodness of a person 4, 40, 43, 47 spreads in all directions. 6, 12, 30, 55
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 23-A