On December 30, 1999, Jose Aguilar, aged 40, was tragically killed in a mass shooting at the Radisson Bay Harbor Inn in Tampa, Florida. The incident occurred when Silvio Izquierdo-Leyva, a housekeeper at the hotel, opened fire on his co-workers and guests. The shooting spree resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including Aguilar, and left several others wounded.
The attack took place in the afternoon, around 3 p.m., when the hotel was crowded with football fans in town for the New Year's Day Outback Bowl between Purdue and Georgia. Izquierdo-Leyva, who was on duty at the time, moved through various areas of the hotel, shooting his victims without uttering a word.
The victims of this horrific event included Eric Pedroso, 29; Barbara Carter, 55; George C. Jones, 44; and Dolores Perdomo, 56, in addition to Jose Aguilar. Izquierdo-Leyva's rampage ended when he attempted to carjack a vehicle from Perdomo, who was shot dead during the struggle. He was apprehended by police shortly after the shooting, without further incident.
Following his arrest, Silvio Izquierdo-Leyva was charged with five counts of first-degree murder. The case proceeded to trial, where he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on April 15, 2002. The motive behind Izquierdo-Leyva's actions remains unclear, as he did not provide any explanation for his violent outburst. The incident left a lasting impact on the Tampa community, particularly among those who were present at the hotel during the shooting.
