Tampa Police arrested 30-year-old Jerome Parker on murder charges after a deadly shooting in Copeland Park last month.
On August 9th, police officers responded to 11001 N. 15th St for the report of a shooting. Arriving within minutes, officers located a black male in his early 20s suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries.
A witness reported an altercation between the suspect, later identified as Jerome Alexander Parker, and the victim began over a package of socks.
The two parties were not known to each other.
The witness informed investigators that after the victim found the socks on the ground, that Parker accused the victim of stealing them from him. A physical altercation led to Parker threatening the victim with a gun, and the victim punching Parker.
Parker then fired the gun, striking the victim and causing his death.
Detectives gathered evidence, including DNA, and developed leads throughout the investigation that led to successfully identifying Parker as a suspect.
“This was a completely senseless act of violence that took a young man’s life,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “I’m thankful that the diligent work of our detectives led to an arrest which, I hope, provides a small sense of closure for the loved ones of the victim.”
Parker is charged with Murder in the First-Degree Premeditated Firearm- Great Bodily Harm/Death, according to local law enforcement.
