TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police arrested a man on murder charges after he shot a man that he thought was stealing his socks in August.
On Aug. 9, officers responded to the area of Copeland Park and found a man in his early 20s with a gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital where he died.
A witness reported the incident and identified the suspect as 30-year-old Jerome Parker. The witness said the victim found socks on the ground, and Parker accused him of stealing them from him, according to a news release.
The two fought and Parker threatened the victim with a gun and the victim punched Parker, police said. After, Parker shot the victim.
“This was a completely senseless act of violence that took a young man’s life,” said 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.”
Detectives said they used DNA evidence and developed leads throughout the investigation that led them to Parker. He is charged with first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm that caused great bodily harm or death.
