Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 12-3-19

Crime
Tampa Man Dies
Tampa Man Gets Life In Murders Of Homeless Couple
After Pointing Gun
At Police Officers
A 30-year-old man died last Friday after exchanging gunfire with police. The inci- dent occurred in the 100 block of E. Flora Street.
According to the Tampa Police Department, Sgt. Fe- licia Pecora and Officer Hope Dauphin responded to a report of shots being fired in the area. A second call reported that a Black man was armed with a gun and seen in a backyard in the 200 block of E. Cluster Av- enue.
Sgt. Pecora was the first to respond to the calls. When the officers arrived, they were informed that the man was in a shed or efficiency apartment arguing with a woman. They also told police the woman was trying to get the gun away from the man, later identified as Derrick K. Everett.
Sgt. Pecora arrived at the entrance and observed Everett armed with a hand- gun. She ordered him to drop the gun. Instead, Everett is alleged to have pointed the weapon at the unidentified woman, causing Sgt. Pec- ora to fire her weapon at him in defense of the woman.
Everett is said to have then pointed the gun towards Sgt. Pecora, who continued to fire her own weapon. Offi- cer Dauphin also fired her weapon in defense of Sgt.
TOMMY SKEENS
A Tampa man was sen- tenced to life in prison for killing two homeless people. The murders took place in November 2015.
Last week, Judge Christopher Sabella sen- tenced Ricky Fitzgerald Hathorn to life in prison. He was convicted of one count first-degree murder, one count second-degree murder, and one count of sexual battery.
LARA KUCHAR
According to the Hills- borough County Sheriff’s Of- fice, deputies were dispatched to a vacant serv- ice station at 7701 E. Hills- borough Avenue on the morning of November 28, 2015. When they arrived, they discovered the partially nude body of Ms. Lara Kuchar, 52, and the body of 45-year-old Tommy Skeens.
Both had been severely
Man Who Tried To
DERRICK EVERETT Pecora. Everett was struck
by the gunfire and both offi- cers immediately began first aid as they awaited the ar- rival of Tampa Fire Rescue.
Everett was transported to a local hospital, where he later died as a result of his in- juries.
Neither of the officers or the unidentified woman was hit by gunfire.
During their investiga- tion, police found Everett’s weapon on the floor of the shed.
Sgt. Pecora is a 19-year veteran and Officer Dauphin has been on the job 5 years.
Both officers have been placed on administrative leave as is customary during a officer involved shooting. The investigation is continu- ing.
RICKY HATHORN beaten and Ms. Kuchar
had been sexually battered. After talking to witnesses, the investigation led them to south Tampa, where they lo- cated Hathorn. At the time, he reportedly had blood on his clothing and his shoes matched evidence at the scene. He was taken into cus-
tody.
Hathorn is said to have
confessed to committing both crimes.
Victim Shot In
Gunshot Victim
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting that took place last Wednesday afternoon. It occurred in the TZM Bella Mar Apartments, corner of E. 127th Avenue and Spicer Place.
According to police, deputies were dispatched to the area after receiving com- plaints of gunshots. When they arrived at the scene, they found an adult man in his 20s apparently suffering from gun- shot wounds.
The unidentified man was transported to a local hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries.
During the investigation into the shooting, detectives learned that the victim had ar- rived at the apartment com- plex to meet someone. Witness told police that shortly after his arrival, a white Kia 4-door sedan fled the scene after the gunshots were heard. The ve- hicle was reportedly occupied by at least two Black men, po- lice said.
Detectives are continuing their investigation and no ad- ditional information was re- leased.
Anyone with information about the murder is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873- TIPS, or online at www.crimestopperstb.com.
An unidentified man who allegedly attempted to run over an officer was fatally wounded. The incident took place in Plant City early Sun- day.
According to a spokesman for the Plant City Police De- partment, around 6 a.m., of- ficers responded to the 2100 block of Spooner Drive in ref- erence to a stolen vehicle. When they arrived, one of the officers approached the vehi- cle from behind and the other from the front.
The officer in the front of the vehicle shined his flash- light into the vehicle to deter- mine if it was occupied. At that point, the driver shifted the vehicle into gear, turned the steering wheel and started approaching the offi- cer.
The spokesman said the officer was in fear of his life and both officers fired their weapons. At least one of the rounds struck and killed the
Found In Road
STEVEN KERR, JR.
driver of the vehicle.
Police have identified the
driver as 25-year-old Steven Kerr, Jr. The names of the officers has not been re- leased. Both officers were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The spokesman said the vehicle had been reported stolen. It was unclear if the suspect was armed at the time of the incident. The in- vestigation is continuing.
Dies Of Injuries
A 24-year-old man died last Tuesday after being shot. He was found in the road by police when they responded to a shooting.
According to the Plant City Police Department, when officers arrived at 1009 W. Washington Street, they discovered Michael James Hector, Jr., of Lakeland, in the road. He died at the scene.
Detectives are continuing their investigation and gath- ering information to deter- mine the motive behind the shooting and who is respon- sible.
Anyone with information
MICHAEL JAMES HECTOR, JR.
about the shooting can con- tact Det. Mark Dunnam at (813) 757-9200. The investi- gation is continuing.
Apartment
Run Over Officer
Complex Dies
Fatally Wounded
UNCLE SANDY
Don't focus on regrets; 2, 11, 21, 33, 45 find your inspiration in what you can do now 9, 20, 39, 51, 62.
PAGE 18 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019