Ybor City shooting: A year after two deaths and 16 injuries, police are preparing for crowds on Halloween weekend

YBOR CITY, Fla – Tampa police are preparing for large crowds to celebrate Halloween in Ybor City this weekend, a year after a fatal shooting there left two people dead and 16 injured.

“We have officers in a real-time crime center who will be monitoring cameras. We have our flight service operational. We also have the Florida Highway Patrol and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office coming and assisting,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “So we’re going to be anywhere and everywhere.”

In the early hours of Sunday, October 29, 2023, a video posted on social media showed people in Halloween costumes drinking and talking in the street when suddenly several shots were fired.

RELATED: At least two people were killed and 18 injured in a shooting in Florida during Halloween celebrations

According to the Tampa Police Department Two groups got into a fight, which resulted in a chaotic scene. Sixteen people were injured and 14-year-old Elijah Wilson and 20-year-old Harrison Boonstoppel were killed.

“After he died, I got videos of his friends, on the boat, hiking,” Brucie Boonstoppel said of her son Harrison during a September 2024 interview with FOX 13. “And he just loved life.”

The fatal shooting sparked talks about a planned curfew for teenagers. City leaders even sat down with residents in town halls to discuss safety.

PREVIOUS: Will a curfew for teenagers reduce crime? Tampa leaders and residents weigh in on the proposed ordinance

And authorities continued to investigate, offering thousands of dollars in rewards for information about the crime.

Three people were arrested, including Dwayne Tillman Jr. The now 22-year-old appeared in court Thursday as attorneys discussed ongoing testimony in the case. He is charged with attempted second-degree murder after authorities said he was seen on video footage in a crowd of thousands of people.

Kayden Abney, 14, and Tyrell Phillips, 23, were also arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

MORE: Ybor City shooting: Third suspect arrested, reward increased to $27,000 as search continues for another suspect

For Halloween this year, Bercaw said his department will be out in full force.

“We are over-preparing for this event and everywhere you go there will be officers. And some you may not even see,” the chief told FOX 13 on Friday.

On Tuesday, October 29, the first anniversary of the fatal shooting, the Tampa Police Department is hosting a candle vigil and community walk. The title is “Ybor Night Out: A Time of Remembrance and Resilience” and the event begins at 6:30 p.m. at 1920 Ybor City.

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