Tampa Police arrested 37-year-old Whitney Newsome in relation to a shooting on Friday that left two dead.
“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and efficiency demonstrated by our detectives and officers throughout this investigation,” said Chief Bercaw. “Their tireless work, combined with the tips and assistance provided by the community, allowed us to quickly remove a dangerous felon from the streets and bring a sense of closure to the families of the victims.”
On May 3, 2024, at approximately 10:30 am, the Tampa Police responded to a ShotSpotter notification followed by the report of a shooting in the 900 block of E. 26th Ave. Officers arrived to find two victims, an adult white female in her mid-20s and an adult black male in his early 40s, both suffering from gunshot wounds. These two victims died because of their injuries. A third victim, a black female in her early 40s, who was shot at but not struck by gunfire, was located, and interviewed.
Detectives immediately began gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Investigators determined that the defendant, later identified as 37-year-old Whitney Newsome (black male, 1/19/1987), was engaged in an argument with the white female victim before the shooting. The black male victim attempted to intervene and an argument between the two males escalated and moved down E. 26th Ave. The black female victim was also walking in the same area at the time. It was later determined that all parties involved were known to each other.
Newsome then pulled out a handgun and shot the white female, who attempted to run before collapsing in front of the convenience store.
The black male and black female victims also attempted to run for safety when Newsome shot at both of them. The black male was struck by a bullet. The black female, thankfully, was not injured by the gunfire. Newsome then ran from the scene.
Officers quickly located a handgun along the route Newsome fled.
Detectives followed evidence and developed leads based on witness statements that led to Newsome being identified as the shooter. Officers worked throughout the night and were able to locate Newsome in the area of E. 25th Ave and N. 33rd St., where Tampa Police Officers took him into custody early Saturday morning.
He was charged with two counts of Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He was transported to Orient Road Jail.