Page 2 - 4-3-15 Friday's Edition

Features
Parents Of Shooting Victims Speak Out On Gun Violence
WILBUR SIMPSON .....charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Keisha Veal and Arabell Ricks have both warned their sons about the rash of shoot- ings that have claimed the lives of so many young males this year. Neither woman thought that their sons would wind up as victims.
Early Wednesday morning, Tampa Police said Demarcus Veal, 16, and his best friend, Joshua Ricks, 19, were walk- ing on 25th Avenue when shots were fired. They were both shot in the abdomen and transported to a local hospital where they are reported to be in stable condition.
Detectives working the in- cident followed up on leads from witnesses, and arrested 16-year-old Wilbur Simp- son and charged him with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, tamper- ing with evidence, and being a
JOSHUA RICKS .....second time being shot.
minor in possession of a firearm.
Ms. Veal said Demarcus is the father of a 2-month-old baby girl and he’s looking for- ward to raising her and spend- ing time with her.
“He’s been a great father and he’s a great son. He’s al- ways been careful not to get in- volved with the guys he knows are ruining their lives.
“From what I understand, the guy that shot them got mad because they wouldn’t argue with him. Demarcus was on his way to his brother’s house when this happened, and Joshua was walking with him to make sure he got there alright.”
Ms. Ricks said what scares her is these young peo- ple today think they’re better than God.
“What kind of society have we become where we have children killing children. This new generation is just out of
DEMARCUS VEAL .....father of 2-month-old was on his way to his brother’s house.
control, and I think it’s up to them, not us, to stop it.”
Ms. Ricks said this is the second time her son has been shot in just a few months. The first incident occurred when he was standing on the corner of 29th Street and 24th Avenue with a couple of friends in front of a store, and the three of them were shot in a drive-by shooting. No one has been ar- rested for that shooting.
Ms. Veal said as a mother, she’s always telling her sons about how dangerous it is out there.
“They are young men, and you can’t keep them locked up inside the house all the time. All we can do as parents is warn them about the dangers, then hope they use good judg- ment about the places they go and the people around them.”
City Council Names New Chair
In a 4-3 vote, the Tampa City Council elected District 5 Councilman Frank Red- dick and the new Chair.
Voting in favor of Council- man Reddick were Council members Mike Suarez, Yvonne Capin, Council- man Reddick, and Guido Maniscalco. Voting for Charlie Miranda to remain Council Chair were Council members Lisa Montelione, Councilman Miranda, and Harry Cohen.
In a heated discussion last week, Councilman Reddick urged his colleagues to rotate the position because he felt it was fair.
Only Councilmen Mi- randa and Reddick were nominated, and the candidates for the post and their col- leagues engage in no debates.
Former Chair Miranda expressed no disappointment over not being reelected, and wished Councilman Red- dick the best. Councilman Miranda held the Chair posi- tion for 4 years.
Councilman Reddick
said he hopes he can count on his friend and colleague, Councilman Miranda, to
COUNCILMAN FRANK REDDICK .....new City Council Chair
help guide him through the process.
It has been argued that that the Chair position is viewed as a position of prestige of the bully pulpit. The Chair is be- lieved to have the power to in- fluence the tone of meetings and appoint people to a variety of committees and boards.
The Chair position carries a 1-year term limit.
Councilman Reddick
had to relinquish his position as Chair of the CRA, and Councilwoman Yvonne Capin was elected as the new CRA Chair.
RICHARD NEWTON ing.
Business Plans Fundraiser To Help With Teen’s Burial
Nearly two weeks ago, 14-year-old Richard Newton died after being struck by gunfire. He was at a birthday party at the time of the shoot-
9/20/2000 ---
3/21/2015 place on Saturday, April 4th. One Tampa business-
Funeral services for the teenager will take
man is planning a fundraiser to help the family with his funeral expenses.
Robert Mahone, of Corey’s Classic Paint & Body Shop, 5302 N. 19th Street contacted the Sentinel. “I know his (Newton’s) grandfather and we are trying to help the family. All proceeds on Friday will be donated to help the family,” he said.
The fundraiser will take place at the business from 9 a.m., until 5 p.m., on Friday. Anyone wishing to obtain more information can contact Mahone at (813) 977-3313.
Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrange- ments.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015