The Tampa Police Department with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested 15-year-old Marquis Lee in connection with the homicide of 14-year-old Armando Gilbert.
According to police, on February 5th, Gilbert was riding his bicycle with another juvenile on N Hillsborough Ln approaching E Juneau St. At the same time, Lee was on his bicycle doing circles in the middle of that intersection, awaiting Gilbert.
When Gilbert got closer, Lee rode towards Gilbert and the other juvenile. He then rode his bicycle after Gilbert, shot him multiple times, and immediately fled the scene.
Upon their arrival just after 6:00pm, officers located Gilbert with upper body trauma. Gilbert was transported to a local Central Florida hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Through investigative means, detectives were able to determine that Lee and Gilbert had prior disputes before the shooting occurred.
On February 6th at around 6:10pm, Lee was taken into custody.
“No parent should ever experience the heartbreaking loss of a child, especially in such a senseless and unjust way,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “As we grieve alongside Armando’s family and offer them support during this unimaginable time, we remain committed to holding juveniles accountable when they decide to take someone else’s life. Armando’s family deserves nothing less than justice, and I’m deeply proud of the swift efforts of the men and women who worked tirelessly to make an arrest within 24 hours of this tragedy.”
Lee was charged with One Felony Count of Murder in the First Degree, One Felony Count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and One Misdemeanor Count of Minor in Possession of a Firearm.
