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Tampa Prostitution Sting Ends With Gunfire

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TBO.com

Published: December 30, 2008

Updated: 12/30/2008 09:35 am

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• Suspect Caught

Gabriel Leon-Torres

Police are investigating why an undercover prostitution sting was interrupted with gunfire early this morning.

Gabriel Carlo Leon-Torres, 26, was being held on $9,500 bail today at Orient Road Jail. He is charged with carrying a concealed firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm, jail records show.

Leon-Torres is not accused of shooting at police officers.

"They're trying to determine what his intent was," Tampa police spokeswoman Janelle McGregor said.

Police said undercover officers picked up two prostitutes near Bird Street and Nebraska Avenue about midnight; the women asked to go to an apartment at 208 E. Columbus Drive.

As the officers pulled into the driveway, one of the women got out of the car and entered an apartment. Then the officers heard a gunshot, a report states.

Tampa police Sgt. Christopher Ugles said a man came out of the apartment "ranting and yelling, and within seconds" shots were fired.

The officers chased down the man, identified as Leon-Torres, and recovered the firearm.

No one was injured.

Records show Leon-Torres was released from a state prison in 2006 after serving a year on felony drug-possession charges.

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