BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
On Sunday afternoon, one young man died after being shot. The young man accused of shooting him remain at large. However, the victim’s mother wants the young man to surrender to police.
Ms. Teresa Williams, mother of Osh Totter “O. T.” Williams, said the two young men were not strangers. “I know his mother, but I haven’t spoken with her. We were very close growing up. I want him (Speights) to turn himself in. I don’t want him to hurt himself and I don’t want his mother to go through what I’m going through,” Ms. Williams said.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warrant for the arrest of 20-year-old Rodney Dejontae Speights, Jr. He is wanted in connection with a shooting that took place outside the Snack Attack Food Store, 6824 N. 50th Street, on Sunday afternoon.
According to police, the shooting took place around 3 p.m. Speights was captured on video walking up to 20-year-old Williams, who was also 20-years-old, outside of the store.
Speights engaged Williams in conversation before the shooting took place.
Police said Williams was shot with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Williams was struck several times and died at the scene shortly after the shooting.
After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in a light blue Chevrolet Equinox. Speights was identified as the shooter by witnesses from the surveillance video.
Police said Williams and Speights had been involved in a fight the day before. Prior to the shooting, Speights told a witness that his intent was to fight Williams in retaliation for the fight they had Saturday.
About The Victim
Williams was a Tampa native and attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. He attended King High School, before attending Gary Adult School. Ms. Williams said the young man was supposed to take his GED Test next week.
Ms. Williams said her son was raised by his paternal aunt, the late Mrs. Brenda Jordan and uncle, Robert Jordan.
“My son wasn’t a thug. He was a typical young man trying to find himself. He was a mannerable and respectful young man. He was so talented. He could sing and had a different type of voice. He was an artist, he could rap, play the drums, he was into the Bible, and he could preach.
“He was into the Bible very deeply and into church. I know he made peace with God. He was very talented; he just had too much talent. He always said that when he hit it big, he was going to take care of his family. I’m just upset by all of this gun violence.”
Ms. Williams said after the death of his aunt, her son got “wrapped up in the streets the last two years. He just got tangled up.”
Ms. Williams said
his father is Gregory Shipman, and he is survived by five sisters and a brother. He also has 5 nieces and 5 nephews. He is the grandson of Mrs. Beatrice Pinder.
Ms. Williams stated the family is currently trying to raise money for his funeral. The services are planned for Saturday, April 6th. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
Anyone wishing to assist the family can contact Ms. Williams at (813) 532-4075.
About The Suspect
Speights is described as 5’6” and weighing 130 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing red pants and a white, long sleeved shirt.
Investigators said anyone helping Speights avoid arrests could also be charged as an accessory to the murder. Anyone with information leading to the whereabouts of Rodney Speights, Jr., is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.
The caller could remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477.
