TAMPA, Fla. – A sixth teenager was apprehended by Tampa police on Monday for involvement in a vicious assault on two other teenagers at a local dog park. The incident occurred late at night on Thursday, Feb. 13 near the Davis Island Dog Park. According to investigators, the victims and suspects had gathered there for a bonfire. During the assault, one of the suspects threw a large rock at the rear window of a black Ford pickup truck occupied by the two victims. Subsequently, four suspects entered the vehicle, attacking the victims and forcibly removing them from their seats, leading to serious injuries to one of the victims who lost consciousness. Another suspect reportedly brandished a knife, inducing fear in the other victim.
The assault is believed to have stemmed from a prior disagreement that occurred outside of Tampa earlier in the week. The suspects range in age from 15 to 18 years, with the only adult, 18-year-old Orian Robinson, facing charges of felony battery and burglary of a conveyance with assault or battery. The rest of the teen suspects are charged similarly, with the 17-year-old assailant who threw a rock at the unconscious victim also facing an attempted murder charge.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw condemned the attack as “brutal and senseless,” asserting that any individual, regardless of age, who commits a crime in the city will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The swift actions of officers and detectives led to the arrest of the suspects. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives urging anyone with additional information to come forward and assist in the case by contacting 813-231-6130.
The incident underscores the importance of community safety and the need to address violence swiftly and decisively. Such acts of aggression have no place in society and must be met with strict consequences. The collaboration between law enforcement and the community is essential in ensuring justice and maintaining peace in Tampa. The authorities remain committed to upholding the rule of law and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.