On the morning of June 13, Tampa Police responded to the 3100 block of W. Harbor View Ave after a male caller, later identified as 21-year-old white male Jordan Aronson, stated that he had hit a known adult male with his vehicle. Aronson also stated he had left the area in his vehicle, that the victim was “on the floor” and needed medical attention, and that the victim had tried to attack him.
Tampa Fire Rescue transported the injured victim, a white male in his late 50’s, to a nearby hospital where it was learned he had suffered multiple traumatic injuries (including injuries to the skull and brain) and he was placed on a ventilator.
Detectives continued their investigation and gathered evidence that conflicted with post-Miranda statements made by Aronson. A review of surveillance video showed an altercation between the victim and Aronson. The video corroborated some portions of Aronson’s statement. However, the video also refutes some assertions made by Aronson, showing Aronson back the Jeep to the road, at which time the victim picks up a three-ring binder filled with paperwork, runs toward the Jeep, and threw the binder at the Jeep. Aronson then quickly drives straight forward into the driveway, striking the victim with the front driver’s side of the vehicle. As the victim began to fall to the driver’s side of the vehicle, Aronson turned the vehicle towards that same side, appearing to track the falling victim. The Jeep then stopped as it appeared to hit a palm tree, with the victim on the ground, adjacent to the tree and tire. The Jeep then backed into the road.
In the early hours of June 21, the victim died at the hospital as a result of the wounds sustained from the Aronson’s Jeep striking him. The investigation was re-classified as a homicide.
On the afternoon of June 23, Jordan Aronson was arrested in Ft. Lauderdale and charged with homicide in the case.