BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Ms. Lakesia Seymore said her only son and youngest of three children was home Friday when he received a telephone call from friends. He then decided to go out with them.
Later that night, Ms. Seymore received a telephone call advising her that her son had been shot. Wayne Thomas Lanier, Jr., 21, was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he died.
According to the Tampa Police Department, a fight took place inside the Hollywood Nites Club, 3005 N. Howard Avenue, shortly after 2 a. m., Saturday. Club Security broke the fight up and then made everyone leave. The crowd then spilled into the parking lot.
According to his mother, once outside of the club an unidentified suspect(s) shot into the car Lanier was in. He was sitting in the backseat. Lanier was shot in the head.
Police said Omar R. Bacon, 26, who was treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital for non life-threatening injuries and later released, was also shot.
Ms. Janelle McGregor, spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department said, “The parking lot was very crowded at the time of the shooting and we are very confident there were eyewitnesses to the shooting. We are asking the witnesses to come forward for the sake of the family and for the sake of the investigation.” Ms. McGregor said the investigation is active and could release no additional information.
Telephone calls to the manager of Hollywood Nites were not returned as of press time.
Mom Says Son Was Well Loved
A Tampa native, Lanier attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. He attended Blake High School, where he was an outstanding athlete. After graduation, he began working with his stepfather, Alex Harris, in his lawn care business.
She further said, “My son was very quiet and never bothered anyone. There have been so many people coming by and no one has anything bad to say about him.”
Lanier loved sports and working with his hands repairing things and had decided to return to school and pursue a career as an engineer. However, he was too late to begin during the current semester.
His girlfriend, Ms. Renesha Gilbert, is pregnant with his first child. The baby is due August 8th, 16 days before his birthday on August 24th.
Fourth Death In Family
This is the fourth death Lanier’s paternal family must endure. Earlier this year, Lanier’s grandfather, Walter Smith died.
The family attended two funerals of relatives who died one day apart. John Lanier died on April 26th and Mrs. Hattie Lanier (John Lanier’s brother’s wife), died the following day. Both funerals were held on May 4th.
In addition to his parents and two older sisters, Lanier is also survived by four other siblings; two grandmothers, Mrs. Eva Cochran and Mrs. Martha Seymore; grandfather, Howard Seymore, other family members and friends.
Family Needs Help With Funeral
Ms. Seymore said her son did not have insurance and hopes the community can help with donations for his burial. Funeral services for Lanier were incomplete at press time. Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
