On May 3, 2024, Fredrick J. Russell, a 41-year-old man, was fatally shot in Tampa, Florida. The incident occurred near a convenience store on the southeast corner of Nebraska Avenue and East 26th Avenue in the Ybor Heights area.
Russell was killed during an argument that escalated into a shooting. The argument began between Whitney Newsome, the assailant, and Breanna L. Jones, 23, another victim who was also fatally shot. According to witnesses and surveillance video, Newsome got into an argument with Jones, and when Russell attempted to intervene, Newsome shot both Russell and Jones. A second woman, who was not hit, also tried to flee the scene but was fired at by Newsome.
The shooting was reported at around 10:30 a.m., and police officers responded to the 900 block of East 26th Avenue, where they found Russell and Jones suffering from gunshot wounds. Surveillance video showed Newsome arguing with Russell in front of the convenience store and then continuing the argument as they moved east on 26th Avenue. The video also captured Newsome shooting Jones and Russell, with Jones running to the front of the convenience store before collapsing.
Newsome left the scene heading north on Ninth Street and was later found and arrested on Saturday morning near the corner of East 25th Avenue and North 33rd Street. A handgun believed to be the one used in the shooting was found along the route Newsome took. Newsome was booked into the Hillsborough County jail on two counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault, and one count of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.
Russell's death, along with Jones', was a result of Newsome's violent actions during the argument. The Tampa Police Department praised the swift and efficient work of their detectives and the community's assistance in apprehending Newsome and bringing closure to the victims' families.
