BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
A 20-year-old man being sought for first-degree murder has been arrested. He turned himself in at the Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail at 6:30 p.m. last Thursday, and is being held without bond.
Rodney Dejontae Speights, Jr., is accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Osh Totter “O. T.” Williams. The shooting took place on Sunday, March 24th, outside the Snack Attack Food Store, 6824 N. 50th Street. Police said an altercation the day before led to the shooting.
Williams’ mother, Ms. Teresa Williams, had publicly said she wanted Speights to surrender to police because she didn’t want his mother to suffer the loss of her child.
According to police, the shooting took place around 3 p.m. Speights was captured on video walking up to Williams outside of the store. He 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.
Speights fled in a vehicle.
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.
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 within days of his death.
Ms. Williams stated the family is currently trying to raise money for his funeral.
The young man is also survived by his father Gregory Shipman, five sisters, and a brother. He also has 5 nieces and 5 nephews, his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Beatrice Pinder, other family members and friends.
Anyone wishing to assist the family can contact Ms. Williams at (813) 562-4075. Funeral services are planned for Saturday, April 6th. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
