Carson D. Senfield, a 19-year-old white male student at the University of Tampa, tragically lost his life on September 17, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when Carson, who had been celebrating his birthday with friends, exited an Uber and mistakenly attempted to enter another vehicle parked near his home on West Arch Street. The driver of the car, fearing for his life, shot Carson, resulting in his death at the scene.
The shooter, whose identity has not been disclosed due to Marsy's Law, remained at the scene and cooperated with the police. He claimed that he believed Carson was attempting to carjack him and that he feared for his life when he fired the fatal shot. The Tampa Police Department conducted a thorough investigation, which included interviewing the shooter and reviewing the 911 call made by the shooter immediately after the incident. The shooter can be heard in the call expressing his fear and confusion, stating that Carson had tried to enter his car and that he did not know if Carson was armed.
The investigation revealed that Carson had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time of the shooting. Despite the family's pleas for justice and their belief that the shooting was unjustified, the State Attorney's Office decided not to press charges against the shooter. The case was ruled a justifiable homicide under Florida's Stand Your Ground law, which allows individuals to use deadly force if they believe they are in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm.
Attorney Ralph Fernandez, representing the Senfield family, has criticized the handling of the investigation and the 911 call, arguing that the dispatcher may have influenced the shooter's perception of the threat. Fernandez has called for further scrutiny of the case and has expressed the family's desire for accountability and justice for Carson's death. The Tampa Police Department, in response, has stated that they took every step to ensure a thorough investigation and that the decision on prosecution was made based on the evidence presented.
Carson's death has left a profound impact on his family, friends, and the University of Tampa community. A GoFundMe page was set up to support his family, raising over $100,000 to help cover expenses related to their travel and other needs during this difficult time. The tragic incident has sparked discussions about the implications of Stand Your Ground laws and the need for careful consideration in cases involving self-defense claims.
