Tampa Police announced on April 17 the arrest of two suspects following an attempted murder investigation related to a shooting that injured two individuals on April 16.
The incident took place in the 3600 block of Machado Street, where officers found an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old, both black males, with gunshot wounds. The victims received immediate first aid from officers before being transported by Tampa Fire Rescue to a nearby hospital. Their injuries were not fatal.
Detectives worked overnight to gather evidence and witness statements. They identified the shooters as Jaquez Lawson, age 18, and Darrian Wise, age 17. According to police, the confrontation was targeted. The suspects’ vehicle—a silver Hyundai—was tracked to Parrish, Florida. With assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), both Lawson and Wise were taken into custody as they left a residence under construction. Two firearms were recovered at the scene.
“This is a stark reminder of the tragedies that occur when teenagers have easy access to firearms and choose violence to settle disputes,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “Our detectives worked relentlessly through the night to identify and track these suspects, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to members of the community who provided helpful information to investigators, and a special thanks to Sheriff Rick Wells and the men and women of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office whose partnership helped us ensure these two will face swift justice.” Wise faces charges of attempted murder and minor in possession of a firearm; Lawson is charged with attempted murder.
Tampa has grown into Florida’s third-largest city with about 392,800 residents according to its official website. It forms part of the Tampa Bay Area metropolitan region with around 3.1 million people according to city data. The city features prominent venues like Raymond James Stadium—home of the NFL’s Buccaneers—and University of South Florida Yuengling Center according to official sources.
Tampa also has a multicultural identity shaped by its Hispanic heritage in neighborhoods such as Ybor City as described by its history page, which is well known for cigar-making traditions and vibrant culture.
Both suspects are currently held at Manatee County Jail awaiting transport back to Hillsborough County.
