Tampa Police Homicide detectives are investigating the murder of a man at a Drew Park club.

According to police, at 2:52 a. m. Monday, two men were shot during a disturbance at Flash Dancers, 4202 West Cayuga Street.

Police said Cornelius Dix, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene, and a second man, Jose Ortiz, 20, was hospitalized in serious condition.

Detectives have not released any suspect information or motive in the shooting, and are still actively investigating the incident.

Mary Dix, the victim’s mother, and Peggy Broadnax, the victim’s aunt, said they preached to Cornelius all the time about how dangerous it is going out these days.

“We told him Saturday night, and now this,” said Ms. Broadnax.

“Cornelius was really trying to get his life back together. That’s what he cared about more than anything.”

Cornelius Dix has two siblings, and was the youngest son of Dwight and Mary Dix.

“We were always concerned about some of the places he’d go to sometimes,” said Ms. Broadnax.

“His mother was always worried about the company he kept, especially when it was someone who wasn’t Black. But when you’re young, they don’t listen.”

Mrs. Dix said her son loved cookouts, because that gave him the opportunity to do what he loved the most, and that’s being around his family.

“I hear all the time what happens to our young men, and they are becoming an endangered species.”

Mrs. Dix said Cornelius left the house with a Hispanic guy who would sometimes call her momma, and it wasn’t the guy who was shot with him.

“As far as we know, Ortiz or the guy he left here with might have been the target. The guy he left the house with could have called to tell us what happened, instead of  me getting a call at work. We still haven’t heard from him.”

Mrs. Dix said they want to know exactly what happened that cost Cornelius his life.

“This is a time when I’m glad we’re a close family, and can draw together for strength,” said Ms. Broadnax.

“I’ll also bet anyone this had something to do with an incident that wasn’t worth taking someone’s life.”

Harmon’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements at this time.