Tampa Police Call For End To Gun Violence After Citywide Increase

TAMPA, FL – There have been nearly 400 incidents in Tampa this year that have involved guns, officials announced Friday at a news conference to address an increase in gun violence across the city.

As of Friday, there have been 23 homicides in the city of Tampa, Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said. Of those, 21 involved a firearm. Additionally, there have been 230 non-fatal shootings in Tampa this year.

Dugan said 98 guns have been stolen from cars and a total of 369 incidents in Tampa that have involved guns this year.

"When I talk about these numbers we have to remember those are names, those are people, those are faces and that's why they're here," Dugan said. "These are not just statistics, these are actual people."

Dugan said he does not have a clear answer to why the number of gun-related incidents has increased this year and over the past few years.

"How do you tell these families that have lost loved ones that the crime rate has gone down?" he said. "It's affecting small pockets of our city."

To deal with the increased violence, the Tampa Police Department is using a new type of technology that can help link firearms to previous crimes, Dugan said. In addition, the department is working with local residents to raise awareness.

Members of the Rise Up for Peace Organization spoke at the news conference, and announced they will hold a march on June 26 to fight against gun violence. A second walk will also be held on July 10.

"Families are hurting and we can't seem to get away from this revolving door of senseless killing," one of the members, Leon, said. "If you care about making Tampa a better place, then do something about it."