Page 3 - 6-19-15 Friday's Edition

Features
Mayor, Chief Launch Anonymous Gun Back-Buy Initiative
Pool Party Shooting Leaves Teen Dead, Four Hurt
MAYOR BOB BUCKHORN
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday, June 27th, the City of Tampa will launch an anonymous gun buy- back. The initiative is de- signed to remove guns from the streets and curb gun vio- lence.
The event will take place at the River Tower Park, 401 E. Bird Street. It will be open to anyone in Hillsborough County who wishes to turn in a gun with no questions asked. Those turning in guns will receive $50 in cash per gun surrendered.
Since January 1st, Tampa Police officers have investi- gated 443 gun-related crimes within the city limits. Some of those incidents re- sulted in the deaths of near twenty individuals. Two of the victims were 14-year- olds.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn
was joined by Tampa Police
Chief Eric Ward, Steve Griggs, President of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Ms. Danielle Williams at a press conference on Thurs- day to announce the initia- tive. Ms. Williams is the mother of 14-year-old Richard Newton. New- ton was killed while attend- ing a birthday party earlier this year. The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation con-
CHIEF ERIC WARD
tributed $50,000 for the program.
City and community leaders are united in their goal to bring an end to gun violence. The gun buy-back initiative is aimed at keeping deadly weapons out of the wrong hands. It is part of the Safe Summer Program initi- ated by Mayor Buckhorn and Chief Ward.
Mayor Buckhorn and Chief Ward are pleading with parents who are con- cerned their child may have a firearm to use the buy-back program as an opportunity to anonymously turn in guns they find in their child’s pos- session.
Mayor Buckhorn said, “There are too many guns that have fallen into the hands of criminals, and we see the tragic results of that all too often. Every gun we get off the streets through this program is one less po- tential victim in the future. Whether it is a car burglary or a home invasion, a stolen gun in the wrong hands can have devastating effects.”
During the exchange, po- lice will accept shotguns, as- sault rifles, and handguns. Mobile teams will be available during that time to pickup guns from residents who can- not transport the guns to the buy-back locations.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Tampa relatives of a 19- year-old man are preparing for his burial next Saturday. He was killed after shots rang out at a pool party in Fayette County, Georgia last weekend.
Walli Clanton, a Tampa native, and four other teenagers were among approximately 200 people attending a pool party on June 13th, in Stockbridge, Georgia.
Police said the party took place in the 600 block of Highway 279. The party was held at an outdoor pool, which had been advertised on social media. Police were notified of the shooting shortly before midnight.
When officers arrived at the scene, they learned that five victims had been shot. Four of them received non- life threatening injuries. However, Clanton was seri- ously injured and trans- ported to Piedmont Fayette Hospital, where he died of a
WALLI CLANTON 11/1/1995 —- 6/13/2015
gunshot wound to the chest. The Fayette County Sher- iff’s Office is actively investi- gating the shooting. However, no arrests have
been made.
Clanton was the son of
Walli Clanton and Ms. Latoscha Brown, of Stockbridge, Georgia. A Tampa native, Clanton at- tended the public schools of Hillsborough County before
moving to Georgia with his mother seven years ago.
Clanton attended Dutchtown High School, where he played football. After graduating in 2014 he enrolled at Kentucky State University. His family said Clanton was majoring in nursing and wanted to be- come a nurse practitioner.
Clanton came home on May 10th from school.
His father said, “He was a phenomenal young man who was outspoken and could light up a room just by walk- ing into it. He was very kind. He was a beautiful son with a unique smile,” Clanton said of his son.
His family said Clanton enjoyed playing football, ex- ercising, shopping because he was very particular about his appearance, and being with his family.
In addition to his par- ents, Clanton is survived by 2 sisters, 3 brothers, other relatives and friends.
Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A