The roll call of a Tampa Police Squad was interrupted Friday when gunshots filled the air. Following an investigation, a 20-year-old man was arrested and is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bond. He is alleged to have fired several shots after becoming engaged in a quarrel with his mother.
According to police, Sgt. L. Houston was holding roll call near Tampa Park Apartments shortly after 8 p. m. The officers heard several gunshots and the entire squad responded to the intersection.
A witness provided the officers with a description of the two vehicles involved in the shooting. Cpl. D. Croteau observed one of the described vehicles near the intersection of N. 13th Street and E. 9th Avenue. Cpl. Croteau approached the vehicle after it stopped suddenly in a parking garage.
However, the driver got out of the vehicle and fled the scene. The officers established a perimeter around the parking garage and the man was located. The officers discovered a handgun inside the vehicle and determined that it was used during the shooting.
During the subsequent investigation, officers learned that Mikeil Terrell Royal had become engaged in a verbal argument with his mother, Ms. Rhonda Wallace, 41. At some point during the argument, Royal is alleged to have fired several shots into the air, and at several bystanders who attempted to intervene.
Royal allegedly fired several more rounds in the direction of the bystanders, striking an unoccupied, parked car. Bullets also struck his mother’s occupied apartment at 1710 Simon Court. One of the unidentified bystanders returned fire. However, no injuries were reported, police said.
Royal was charged with 2 counts of shooting at, within or into a building; felon in possession of a firearm, obstructing or opposing an officer without violence; aggravated battery with a deadly weapon; and discharging a weapon in public. Royal was also on probation for several charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and his probation was violated, police said.
