TAMPA, Fla. – In 2014, 23-year-old Damien Bowie was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Avesto Del Rio Apartments in Tampa, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit has made significant arrests, bringing long-awaited justice to his family.
On March 2, 2014, deputies responded to the Avesto Del Rio Apartments, where Bowie was found fatally shot. Investigators determined that Bowie had been attacked and shot in the parking lot. Despite an exhaustive investigation, the case remained unsolved for years.
READ: St. Petersburg Police Seek Suspect In $21,000 Art Heist. Do You Know Him?
Through diligent work and advanced investigative techniques, detectives identified Javonte Dennard, now 33, as the individual who shot Bowie. Dennard, who is currently incarcerated for unrelated charges, is facing new charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Fabricating or Using False Physical Evidence.
In addition to Dennard, detectives arrested two other individuals connected to the crime. Deandra Jenkins, 37, has been charged with Principal to Second Degree Murder, while Brittney White, 36, faces charges of Accessory After the Fact to Second Degree Murder and Fabricating or Using False Physical Evidence.
READ: Shooting In North Tampa Leaves One Man Injured
“Even after nearly a decade, our detectives never gave up on seeking justice for Mr. Bowie and his family,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We are finally able to make these arrests and hold the responsible individuals accountable for this senseless act of violence. We will continue to stop at nothing to bring closure to victims’ families, no matter how much time has passed.”
The investigation remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence and seek any additional information related to the case.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.