TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police are investigating a shooting on South Howard Avenue that left two men dead.


What You Need To Know

  • Tampa Police are investigating a shooting on South Howard Avenue that left two men dead early Sunday morning

  • Police said three men were hurt and taken to the hospital, where two of them died

  • TPD officials said some officers were nearby on patrol, but none were hurt in the shooting

  • Police Chief Lee Bercaw said the department has not made an arrest yet and is asking for help from the community

Police said the shooting happened just before 3 a.m. Sunday in front of a Jimmy John's restaurant. They said three men were hurt and taken to the hospital, where two of them died.

Kenneth Washington and Kevon Christmas died from their injuries as a result of the shooting, police said Monday.

Detectives determined that the altercation stemmed from an ongoing dispute between two rival neighborhood groups and was not a random act.

The identity of the third victim hasn't been released.

"The overall safety of the community is our top priority," Chief Lee Bercaw said. "Working in collaboration with our community is the best way we can ensure everyone is safe."

TPD officials said some officers were nearby on patrol, but none were hurt in the shooting.

The department has not made an arrest yet and is asking for help from the community, Bercaw said. The police chief planned to meet Monday afternoon with area business owners to talk about their concerns.

"What we don't have is video at this point, and we're asking the public, which we know people were out here and filming this, to share that with us as we are trying to unfold the details of this investigation," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 813-231-6130.