FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | Erin.Maloney@sao13th.com
TAMPA, FL (September 6, 2024) — A judge sentenced 16-year-old Deondre Smith to 25 years in Florida State Prison after a jury found him guilty of attempted murder. Smith was charged as an adult after surveillance video captured him firing at a person entering the doorway in a crowded game room located at the Boulevard West River apartments. Our office’s Gun Violence Unit secured a guilty verdict at Smith’s trial in July.
Smith fired multiple rounds, causing injuries to one of his friends inside the game room instead of his intended target. Smith told investigators that he was planning to shoot whoever came through the door but did not know who he was firing toward.
“Charging a juvenile as an adult is one of the most difficult decisions to make as a prosecutor. But when you make an adult decision with a firearm and hurt someone in the process, you will be held accountable on my watch. This lengthy sentence should send a strong message to teenagers who think their age protects them from consequences when it comes to gun violence in Hillsborough County,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
Assistant State Attorneys Timothy Byrnes and Nathan Watters successfully prosecuted this case. The Tampa Police Department was the investigating agency.
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.