The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office finished a sex offender roundup just in time for Halloween.
This yearly initiative brings together law enforcement officials from Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Department of Corrections to go out and find out if sexual offenders are following the rules of their probation.
During this operation, 123 offenders were contacted, of which 83 were in compliance. A total of 40 individuals were arrested, 37 of them for violations of their probation. Twenty-one of the other arrests resulted in new felony charges.
In addition, many electronic items and devices were seized during the operation, and search warrants and forensic downloads are expected to bring more charges in the near future, the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement, “There is nothing scarier than the thought of our children in the dangerous grasp of a predator. I am grateful to all of our law enforcement partners, and the hardworking and dedicated employees of Team HCSO for their work in ensuring that our community is safe this Halloween.”
Women targeted, killed in front of her children
A women in Pasco County was shot in her home overnight, and her kids had to witness the tragedy. Preliminary information suggests the homicide occurred around 12:40 a.m. in the Menifee Court area of New Port Richey when a man broke into a home wearing a skull mask. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office needs help from the community to help solve this crime.
The Sheriff’s Office said the man pointed a gun at an adult witness inside the home before putting his attention onto a bedroom in which the victim was sleeping with two young children. The killer turned on a light in the room, which caused the victim to sit up. The suspect then shot the victim once. As soon as the victim fell on to the floor, the suspect shot the victim once more. The suspect then ran from the home, where it was believed that he got into a car. The victim later died at a hospital as a result of the shooting.
According to a statement from Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco, “All indications right now it appears that the suspect knew the layout of this house. He directly targeted the individual and it seems like he knew exactly who he was going for.”
Nocco said that it appears to be a random act.
Tragedy strikes at a Halloween Party, two shot, one teen dead
A Halloween party turned deadly in Hillsborough County last night, which resulted in two teens getting shot. A little after 2 a.m., deputies were called to a house in the 9000 block of Harney Road. Once deputies arrive, they discovered one male victim with a gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.
The other shooting victim, a female, was located at a nearby Petrol Mart, at 11511 U.S. 301. She was transported to the hospital and died due to her injuries despite lifesaving efforts from the doctors. Deputies say she was a student at Bloomingdale High School.
At this time, detectives have learned an argument took place at the house party and shortly thereafter, a shooting occurred. It’s unclear if the suspect and victims knew each other.
Credits
Anchor: Leali Shalabi
Producer: Diego Adesso
Reporters: Leali Shalabi, Gabe Glassman, Scotty Schemmel, Eduardo Reksiedler, Mirna Abushanab
Teleprompter: Gabe Glassman
Graphics: Eduardo Reksiedler
Video Editor: Antonio Delucca
Cameras: Scotty Schemmel
Web Editor: Jose Delgado
Web Managing Editor: Chrisovaladou Pantelis
Graduate Assistant: McKenzie Muskett
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Wayne Garcia
