Seven Shot, One Fatality, At A Tampa Bay Bar

There were seven people shot, and one person was killed, after a fight broke out at closing time at a Tampa bar Sunday morning, according to Tampa’s police chief.

According to Chief Mary O’Connor, the shooting took place around 3 a.m. at the LIT Cigar & Martini Lounge on North Franklin Street.

The police believe that the shooting occurred as a result of a fight between two large groups of people inside the lounge that spilled into the street once they were escorted outside following the fight.

Having heard what witnesses told the officers, O’Connor said it appeared at least one suspect had left the bar, got a gun, and shot the seven victims after leaving the bar. Although it is unclear if there were multiple gunmen, another suspect could be involved in the case.

“It is clear that the suspects have no regard for human life,” she said. “They opened fire into a crowd that was only celebrating right here on Franklin Street.”

There was one fatality, a California man visiting Tampa for a wedding. Another six victims, four men and two women, were taken to hospitals in the Tampa Bay area for non-life-threatening injuries.

As part of our investigation, we’re working with witnesses to develop leads,” O’Connor said. “As of now, no arrests have been made, but we are working with an extreme sense of urgency.”

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