FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | [email protected]
TAMPA, FL (December 15, 2023) — A third defendant charged in the October mass shooting in Ybor City will be held behind bars until trial. Dwayne Tillman Jr., 21, is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder and attempted aggravated battery with a firearm.
Prosecutors presented evidence in court today showing that Tillman fired his gun in historic Ybor City while hundreds of people were partaking in Halloween festivities. The State Attorney’s Office argued that his willful disregard for human life that night illustrates why he presents an ongoing danger to the community. The judge ruled the defendant will remain in custody instead of being assigned a bond amount which would have allowed him to be released before trial.
The lead detective testified that Tillman can be seen on surveillance video throughout the area the night of the shootings. Video evidence shows that Tillman is one of the suspects responsible for firing a gun following a scuffle between two groups that turned violent.
“Thousands of people were celebrating a holiday weekend in one of our city’s most vibrant neighborhoods when they were suddenly forced to run for their lives. Everyone should be able to enjoy a night with family and friends without having to flee from gunfire. These criminals will face consequences for endangering our community as we continue to seek justice for the victims who were hurt or lost their lives,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
Two other defendants have been charged in connection with the shootings and are also being held behind bars until trial. Kadyn Abney, 14, and Tyrell Phillips, 22, are both facing second-degree murder charges for the shooting deaths of victims Harrison Boonstoppel and Elijah Wilson.
Our partners at the Tampa Police Department continue to investigate other shootings that occurred at the same location. A reward of up to $27,000 has been offered for info that leads to the arrest of additional suspects. Tampa Police, in collaboration with the FBI, has created a web-based portal for members of the public to submit anonymous tips, videos, or photo evidence. Members of the public are encouraged to visit FBI.gov/TampaShooting to provide any information to police that may aid the investigation. You can also call the Tampa Police Department’s non-emergency line at (813)-231-6130 or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-8477.
State Attorney Lopez leads a team of talented prosecutors and professional staff who are responsible for all criminal prosecutions in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping the public informed about the outcomes of major court cases to ensure transparency and accountability. We believe it is of utmost importance for the public to understand how our justice system operates in order to build trust. To learn more about the outcome of cases prosecuted in our office, you can follow us on social media:
· Twitter: @HillsboroughSAO, @SuzyLopezSA
· Instagram: @HillsboroughStateAttorney
· Facebook: @HillsboroughSAO
About the State Attorney’s Office
The State Attorney’s Office of the 13th Judicial circuit encompasses all of Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. The office staff consists of approximately 320 dedicated public servants including 130 prosecutors, as well as investigators, victim advocates, and support staff. The office handles approximately 50,000 cases every year. To learn more about the organization or apply to become part of the team, visit www.sao13th.com.