Last Thursday we had a shooting on 8th Ave. that involved two Empire patrons. We have verified with TPD that the shots were fired in the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office parking lot and not in the City of Tampa parking lot directly behind the nightclub. The police and Club Empire staff were on scene within 15 seconds of the first shots being fired. A shoot-out did
occur between two groups of young black males. There was never a fight in Empire as Channel 13 stated:

Witnesses at the scene say it all started when a fight between two groups of men began inside Club Empire.  They say it continued into the parking lot with members from both groups getting guns and firing at each other.

 Although Empire is making an effort to control its clientele, as we have seen, it keeps attracting a violent crowd to the area.

Here is the complete story printed on the St. Pete Times:

TAMPA - Gunfire rang out in Ybor City early Friday, and Tampa police believe some of the bullets were intended for them.

Christopher Ingraham-Richardson, 24, of Tampa was arrested in connection with the incident. Police said he rammed a marked police cruiser while trying to flee.

About 3:13 a.m., while they were monitoring crowds spilling out of area bars, officers heard an argument break out behind the Empire nightclub.

One man retrieved a sawed-off shotgun from a four-door, brown 1990 Honda sedan and began waving it around "recklessly," said Assistant Chief Jane Castor. The man put the shotgun back into the car, fetched an SKS assault rifle from the car and fired a single shot.

When officers arrived to investigate, they saw muzzle flashes and heard several more shots - gunfire that they believe had been aimed at them.

The officers opted not to return fire because of the gathered crowds. That’s when they spotted the car speeding away.

Police units, including a helicopter, saturated the area and tracked the car several blocks away, police said, boxing it in around N 23rd Street and Second Avenue. Police said the driver tried to break out by ramming a marked cruiser, but that failed.

The driver got out of the car without a weapon, and he beat on his chest, repeating, "You’re going to have to kill me!" Castor said.

Guns drawn, the officers approached him, and he "resisted violently," she said. Officers used a Taser on him several times, she said.

Police recovered both weapons. No injuries were reported.

Police took two men into custody, but only Ingraham-Richardson had been charged Friday evening. He was being held in lieu of $15,500 bail, and the charges include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, battery on a law enforcement officer and obstructing or opposing an officer.

Ingraham-Richardson of 14521 Prism Circle, Apt. 105B, had been charged Thursday with driving with a suspended license.

Until Friday, that had been his only arrest, according to state records.

Police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said the incident is still being investigated.

The Ybor City Development Corporation invites you yo a community
meeting to discuss stormwater issues in Ybor City, primarily in
neighborhoods east of 22nd St. and South of 6th Ave. 

When: Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 @ 6:00pm

Where: YCDC office 2015 E. 7th Ave, Ybor City

For further info contact the YCDC at 274-7936

Ybor’s flooding issues are far from over. Despite the latest stormwater improvement project, many areas in Ybor still remain prone to severe flooding during heavy storms. Over the past few weeks, certain areas have seen up to 2 feet (and more!) of flood water. Here are some season tips and reminders:

• Avoid driving down 17th St. during heavy storms. The water is so deep your car may stall and flood! Do NOT drive into puddles, they may be deeper than you expect.

• Keep alleys, streets, sidewalks, and balconies free of debris. Plastic bags, cardboard, and plywood are exceptionally damaging. These items can float to the storm water inlets and clog them, causing additional flooding.

• Do not place any object (i.e. trash cans) on top of a storm drain. Drains will not do their job if they are blocked.

• Secure all construction sites. Any unsecured signs (i.e., hanging chain signs, banners, etc.) temporary signs stuck in the ground and hanging globe lights should be removed and brought indoors.

• Use foam sealant on windows and doorways, instead of sandbags. Foam sealant is much more effective at stopping water intrusion than sandbags, and can be reapplied easily. It is available at hardware stores.

In the event of a severe storm, City parking garages will remain open whether they are staffed or not. To report flooding problems, please call the Stormwater Department’s 24 hour Emergency Hotline: (813) 622-1901.

Just in case you are not convinced of the severity of our flooding problems, here is a video captured by David Bailey near the intersection of 5th and 16th St.

The Ybor City Development Corporation invites you to a community meeting to discuss stormwater issues in Ybor City, primarily in neighborhoods east of 22nd St. and South of 6th Ave. 

When: Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 @ 6:00pm

Where: YCDC office 2015 E. 7th Ave, Ybor City

For further info contact the YCDC at 274-7936