TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Police Department identified and arrested the suspect who shot toward officers yesterday.
At 5:41 p.m. on January 17, 2023, three Street Ant-Crime (SAC) officers conducting a proactive patrol in an unmarked vehicle in the 3600 block of 54th Street, saw a group of individuals gathered outside a home when the suspect shot at their car, which sustained minimal damage.
The group dispersed and the suspect, along with other individuals, fled on foot from the scene of the shooting. All three officers were uninjured and did not fire back.
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Through investigative means and thanks to neighbors and community members who came forward with information, detectives were able to identify and arrest the suspect. Deontae Boatwright, 16, faces three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
A firearm was located at a nearby home where the suspect attempted to conceal it. Another subject, who was with Boatwright when officers took him into custody, was found to have active warrants in his name.
Ozyia Norwood, 17, faces charges of aggravated battery great bodily harm firearm – great bodily harm/death, robbery with a firearm, and attempted murder in the first degree, unrelated to yesterday’s shooting. Norwood was also in possession of another firearm. Detectives interviewed an additional two individuals who were found to not be involved in the shooting.
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“Within hours of the shooting, detectives were able to identify and arrest those involved because of the assistance we received from concerned neighbors,” said Interim Chief Lee Bercaw. “That pertinent information, along with surveillance video located in the nearby area, allowed officers to quickly take the shooter into custody. I commend all those who came forward and heeded the message we cannot repeat enough in law enforcement: if you see something, say something. I hope this incident shows just how much we can accomplish when we all work together. Today, two guns are off the street, and a community is more at ease thanks to the partnership from concerned neighbors who did the right thing by coming forward with information that led to the arrests overnight.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department at (813) 231-6130. To be eligible for a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). You can also report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com, or send a tip using their P3 Tips mobile app, which is free to download on both iOS and Android devices.
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