On March 26th, Tampa Police responded to a convenience store in reference to a shooting. At the time, the store owner told police that she had shot the suspect after he attempted to rob the store.

Quintavius Moore

At the time of the shooting, police said Quintavious Moore, 16, entered Baker’s Mini Mart, 2504 N. Armenia Avenue, and asked Ms. Taquanda Shanti Baker, the owner for change for a bill.

Ms. Baker told police that Moore returned to the store 30 minutes later, armed with a handgun and pointed it at her. She told police that she pulled out her handgun and accidentally fired one round into the ground. She then fired one round at Moore striking him.

Moore was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he died about 4:30 p.m., the same day.

Ms. Baker told police she thought Moore had shot at her, but later realized that she had fired both shots because she was nervous.

Ms. Baker ran out of the store following the shooting and flagged down a police officer to report the incident, police said.

Within 24 hours of the shooting, police said detectives determined that Ms. Baker’s account of the shooting did not match forensic evidence or statements received from witnesses.

Detectives investigating the shooting also obtained the surveillance video from a nearby business. Based on the video, Ms. Baker was not inside the store when Moore was shot and killed.

According to police, Ms. Baker arrived at the store nine (9) minutes after the first 9-1-1 call. Police are also searching for a person of interest who was photographed leaving the store after the shooting by the surveillance video.

Ms. Baker was arrested and charged with making a false police report; tampering with and fabricating evidence; and firing her weapon in an occupied dwelling. She claimed self-defense at the time of the shooting.

Person Of Interest

Police are continuing their investigation to determine what role Moore played in the shooting.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting or if anyone recognizes the person of interest to contact the Tampa Police Department at (813) 231-6130.

Family Responds
Charles “Wes” Wesley, uncle of Quintavious Antonio Moore said, “The family is very pleased with the Tampa Police Department and it’s information. We know there were a lot of unanswered questions that they slowly had to piece together.

“We want justice to be served and we are just going to let the Justice System handle the situation.”