Tampa Police report that at 2:46 a. m. Sunday, Club Empire in Ybor City was closing and patrons were leaving when an unknown suspect fatally shot Leslie Jerome Jones, Jr., 20, in the club’s VIP room. Jones was struck in the head and died instantly.

According to a source, Jones was involved in an altercation with a patron and got the best of him during a fight. That patron allegedly left, somehow got his hands on a gun, and returned, shooting Jones and Ahmaud Black.

Black, 19, was shot in the chest and is recovering in a local hospital.

Jones’ sisters, Shacana Jones and LaShawn, said Jones really enjoyed driving his car and spending time with his children. Family members describe him as being a “very sociable person.”

Jones was the only boy of six children, and his sisters said they spoiled him terribly.

The family of Jones has contacted Gudes Funeral Home to help them with a service.

Ms. Eva Lumpkin said her son, Ahmaud, has been through a lot, and has been attending church frequently at Grace Mary M. B. Church, where she said he’s also participated as an usher.

“I’m really proud of how he’s turning his life around. He’s been through a lot, and now I think he’s finally growing up. It hurts me deeply the way he’s being portrayed by the media and the police. This is not the time for that and I think that’s very insensitive of them.”

Ms. Lumpkin said Ahmaud was shot four times by police in 2006 when he and some friends were involved in an armed robbery. He is still recovering from that.

Ms. Lumpkin said someone needs to try to reach these young Black males so they will stop killing each other.

Family members of Jones said he has four children, and was expecting a fifth when the shooting occurred.

Police are asking that any patron (witness) that has any information to contact Detective Kirlangitis at (813) 231-6130.