TAMPA, Fla. — Residents met with Tampa police Monday to address concerns and ask questions after Sunday's deadly shooting in the SoHo district.
Two men in their 20s were shot and killed at a parking lot near the intersection of South Howard Avenue and West Horatio Street, while another man was injured and hospitalized. Police released new videos showing the moments before and after the shooting in hopes of solving the crime.
It comes after another incident of fighting led to a shooting in late April near the crime scene.
Officers stated the shooting over the weekend also stemmed from a dispute and the people involved knew each other.
"If we have one more of these, it's going to be chaotic. It's going to be horrid," resident Anneliese Meier said.
Neighbors present at the meeting worry violent crimes will continue unless something changes. On top of safety concerns, Meier said she worries about the impact it may eventually have on local businesses, too.
Those who attended brought up several safety concerns including noise levels. In addition, Meier, a resident of more than 40 years, was among those who expressed that bar and restaurant owners may have to make changes of their own.
For instance, options to shut down earlier were brought up, along with fewer events that may draw rowdy crowds.
The SoHo district is known for attracting nightlife, especially college students. However, with more people flocking to the area, some residents worry some of those now coming are those with intentions to harm others.
"I just don't think that we have the capacity for the amount of people that are here, and it's starting to show up in our neighborhood, which is really unfortunate because this is a great neighborhood," resident Danielle Garcia said.
SoHo Business Alliance General Manager Stephen Michelini said business owners have security in place and is working with police to add even more measures.
In response to calls to change how businesses operate, Michelini said vigilance throughout the community is key and notes businesses are following local ordinances by closing as late as 3 a.m.
"This didn't happen from a business. It happened from people coming here to do harm to each other," he said. "You're not going to be able to control everything 100% of the time, but the things we can control, we'll try to do the better job at."
Tampa Chief of Police Lee Bercaw stressed the importance of community policing.
Bercaw encouraged residents to notify authorities when they see something suspicious.
He adds the department has already added additional officers, along with added cameras and technology, but plans to add more patrol to address safety concerns.
When asked if there has been an increase in crime, the chief noted officers have seen a slight increase in crime in the area, but noted, "We've also seen a marked increase in police activity in this area, and that's one of those proactive measures that we're always taking."
In the meantime, TPD is asking anyone with information or videos related to the shooting to share them with law enforcement. An anonymous tip may also be sent to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay.