Category Archives: Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director

Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit

(813) 557-3366 | [email protected]

TAMPA, FL (March 8, 2024) — The State Attorney’s Office has filed second-degree murder charges against Gerald Declan Radford in the shooting death of a 52-year-old man at the West Dog Park in Tampa. The defendant alleged self-defense, but following a thorough investigation, the evidence shows Radford was the aggressor and was motivated by the fact that the victim was a gay man. In addition, the state will be seeking an enhancement as a hate crime under Florida Statute 775.085.

Radford called 9-1-1 on the morning of February 2, 2024, and told dispatchers he shot a man in the dog park. When investigators arrived, Radford told them he and the victim were in a “scuffle” when he pulled his gun and shot the victim. There were no other eyewitnesses to the incident, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continued its investigation.

Multiple community members came forward in the days and weeks following the shooting to report hearing Radford use bigoted slurs toward the victim, even talking about wanting to harm him while at the dog park. Detectives also learned the victim created a cell phone video 24 hours prior to the shooting warning his friends that Radford told him, “You’re gonna die.”

“We should all be able to enjoy a day at the dog park without the fear of gunfire. This victim also deserved to live free from fear and discrimination based on his sexual orientation. The evidence shows the defendant’s actions were motivated by hate, and he will be held accountable. My heart is with the victim’s family and large group of friends as we fight for justice together,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Members of the community have actively shared concerns with our office regarding the length of time it has taken to reach a charging decision. It is important to note how difficult it can be to refute a Stand Your Ground claim in some cases because the only other witness to the incident is deceased. Throughout the course of this investigation, community members stepped forward with important information about ongoing tensions that helped add context to the incident. Combined with video recordings created by the victim before he was killed, investigators were able to build a strong case to bring to our office for prosecution.

TAMPA, FL (February 21, 2024) — The State Attorney’s Office filed second-degree murder charges against Jorge Ramirez, the man who shot and killed a father of five following a road rage incident in Riverview. Ramirez was arrested in January and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Following a review of the completed investigation, The State Attorney’s Office added the additional murder charges.

On January 16, Ramirez was driving his black BMW sedan with two friends when he approached the victim’s Green Chevy Suburban from behind. Witnesses say Ramirez was trying to pass the Suburban to cut through a parking lot to avoid waiting at a red light. The passengers in Ramirez’ vehicle say he became angry when the Suburban blocked the entrance to the parking lot. Ramirez began closely following the victim’s vehicle afterwards, ramming the hitch several times.

Ramirez passed the Chevy Suburban in a residential area and quickly stopped to exit the car. The victim also exited his vehicle and retrieved two metal pipes from the trunk. Ramirez, from behind his black BMW, shot at the victim who was more than 20 feet away at the time of the shooting. This all occurred while the victim’s fiancé and children were watching from the Suburban. Witnesses from both vehicles say the victim was never running toward the BMW or threatening anyone when shots rang out.

“After a thorough review of the investigation from Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, it is clear the defendant was the aggressor in this case. He had no regard for the victim’s life, or the lives of his small children who tragically watched their father die in the middle of the road. My heart is with his fiancé and loved ones as they work through this unimaginable trauma,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director

Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit (813) 557-3366 | [email protected]

TAMPA, Fla. (February 6, 2024) — The man responsible for injuring a 4-year-old in a road rage incident will remain behind bars until trial. The State Attorney’s Office successfully argued that 34-year-old James Jackson is a danger to the community, and the judge denied him bond in a Hillsborough County courtroom today.

Jackson was driving a white Kia Optima on January 30th when he became angry that a white Chevrolet sedan merged into his lane. The woman driving the Chevrolet sedan testified on the stand today that she looked into Jackson’s eyes while he shot at the car repeatedly with her two children screaming in the backseat. She pulled over and realized her 4-year-old was shot.

Jackson is charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm. Additional charges include fleeing to elude police and possession of cannabis.

“It is clear the defendant has no regard for human life if he is willing to shoot a firearm at a car with young children inside. I cannot imagine the horror of what this young victim and her family have experienced due to the reckless actions of this cold-blooded criminal. My office will work diligently to ensure this defendant is held accountable for his actions,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Jackson was previously found guilty of attempted murder in 2006, but the case was overturned on appeal after a judge found his confession should not have been admitted into evidence. Jackson still served 10 years in prison for his crimes. He was then released in 2016, only to reoffend less than two years later. He was sentenced to two more years in Florida State Prison.