Page 52 - Florida Sentinel 2-5-21

Crime
Tampa Man Jailed
Man Being
Police Search For Man Who Shot Into Vehicle
For First-Degree
Sought For Murder Year After Child’s Death
CLAUDE BROOKS
Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for murder for a Tampa man. He is wanted in connection with the death of a child that took place more than a year ago..
According to the Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Office, on December 30, 2019, police and paramedics responded to a home in reference to an un- responsive child. When deputies arrived at the home in the 9000 block of Sunset Drive, in Tampa, they located the injured child. The child was transported to Brandon Regional Hospital, where the child passed away.
Detectives conducted sev- eral interviews, collected evi- dence and the medical reports. The evidence showed that the child died as a result of serious physical injuries.
Detectives stated that they believe Claude Brooks is responsible for the child’s death. More than two years after the child’s death, detec- tives obtained a murder war- rant for Brooks. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said, “De- tectives have bveen working this case for more than a year, determined to uncover the real reason why this innocent child died. At the time of the call, deputies did not find any indication of foul play, but after further investigation, detectives obtained enough evidence to charge Brooks with first-degree murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse.”
Anyone with information on Brooks is asked to con- tact Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS or on- line at www.crimestopper- stb.com.
Detectives are currently searching for a man who shot into an occupied vehicle. The incident took place at a Riverview convenience store on January 19th.
According to the Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Office, around 8 p.m., on that night, deputies responded to the Circle K, 11606 Balm Riverview Road, in reference to a shooting. When they ar- rived, they were told that Jerome James Knight, 19, the victim, and a group of unidentified individuals had allegedly been engaged in a physical altercation.
Shortly afterwards, Knight is alleged to have pointed a gun at the passen- ger side of the victim’s pickup truck and fired
Two young children were seated in the backseat of the vehicle at the time of the shooting,
Murder Of Child
A 40-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a child. The child died as a re- sult of child abuse.
According to police, on October 22, 2020, the mother of an 8-year-old child called 9-1-1 after discovering the child was struggling to breathe and had become un- responsive. The child was transported to Brandon Re- gional Hospital, and then air- lifted to John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Despite efforts by medical personnel, the 8-year-old boy died the next day.
While at the hospital, doc- tors discovered several large areas of contusions, welts, scarring, and small lacera- tions on the child’s lower back and rear area.
During interviews with detectives, it was learned that the mother of the child’s boyfriend, identified as Ty- rone Wayne Covington, had allegedly abused the vic- tim with a belt. The autopsy results concluded that the child’s death was caused by
TYRONE COVINGTON
blunt trauma and it was ruled as murder.
Covington was arrested on an active warrant while in St. Petersburg on Monday.
Chad Chronister,
Hillsborough County Sheriff said, “This was not merely a form of punishment. The ex- cessive beating this child en- dured ultimately led to his death.
“Our hearts ache as we in- vestigate this horrific case of child abuse. While no pun- ishment will ever being this young child back, we hope a first-degree murder charge keeps this man where he de- serves to be: jail.”
JEROME JAMES KNIGHT
Hillsborough County
Sheriff Chad Chronister
said, “We are asking anyone who has seen Knight to please come forward. This teen’s reckless and violent be- havior put two innocent chil- dren at risk of losing their lives.”
Anyone with information on Knight is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS or online at www.crimestopperstb.com.
Shooting Outside Club Leaves One Person Hurt
A shooting outside the Gentlemen’s Club early Monday left an employee of Walmart injured. The employee was not in- volved in the shooting.
Tampa Police are cur- rently investigating a shooting that took place early Monday. One person was injured.
According to police, the Score’s Gentlemen’s Club, 2310 N. Dale Mabry, was clos- ing around 3 a.m. For un- known reasons, two groups of people began shooting at each other. No one was injured at the scene.
The people involved in the shooting all fled the scene in their vehicles and reportedly continued to exchange gun-
fire.
While passing the Wal-
mart, 1505 N. Dale Mabry, a stray bullet struck one of the Walmart’s employees while he was sitting in front of the store. The bullet did not pene- trate the victim’s skin, but he suffered a bruise.
The two groups appeared to be targeting each other. Po- lice do not believe it was a random incident, police said.
No arrests have been made. However, the investi- gation is continuing.
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