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Brandon Park Patrons Surprised By Shooting
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Published: May 13, 2008
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BRANDON - Brandon Stultz shot hoops this morning at Brandon Park on Sadie Street, where an unknown gunman shot two Brandon area sports standouts Friday night.
Stultz, a University of Florida student at home on summer break, said he was surprised to read about the shooting in the newspaper. It happened outside the Brandon Recreation Center and Brandon Community Center, a few blocks from the house he grew up in.
"That's kinda crazy," Stultz said. "A lot of kids come out and play basketball, and I know tempers and attitudes can escalate quickly. But I've lived here basically all my life, and I've never heard of any real serious violence or guns."
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Debbie Carter said UF lineman Matt Patchan and former Armwood teammate Wesley Skiffington were shot by an unknown black male described as between 6-foot and 6-4 and 220 pounds.
Carter said Skiffington and Patchan were at the park with a group of friends at 9:58 p.m. Friday when another group of individuals approached them and the man started shooting at the crowd. Patchan was hit in the shoulder, and Skiffington was shot in his foot.
Authorities said their injuries were not life-threatening, and both are expected to make a full recovery.
Carter said the shooter fled in an unknown vehicle, and the sheriff's office's investigation is ongoing. Armwood football coach Sean Callahan said he talked to Patchan Sunday.
"He just said he was there at the time with his buddy," Callahan said. "I don't know if they were hanging out playing basketball or what. He said some kids walked up, and Matt saw the guy pull the gun. He said he started running away, and the kid shot him in the back, in the shoulder."
Sharon Fugate and Janice Guerard played tennis at the park this morning. Guerard said it is common for dozens of young adults to gather on the basketball courts at night, but she has never witnessed any trouble.
"I've never seen a fight or even heard them cursing at one another or anything like that," she said.
"I'm here at night until the lights go out, but I've never been scared or even thought about [the potential for violence] at all," Fugate said.
"It happens everywhere now. It doesn't matter what neighborhood you live in," Guerard said.
John Brill, spokesman for the county's Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, said the shooting was an isolated incident that occurred after the park, community center and recreation center were closed.
Park staff members lock the buildings and turn off outdoor lights when they leave each night, generally between 9 and 10 p.m., Brill said.
"The sheriff's office was called, and they are doing their investigation. Naturally, we're always concerned with the safety and welfare of people who use the parks. We'll go with any recommendations [the sheriff's office] may have."
Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 873-8477.
Reporter Adam Adkins contributed to this report. Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( Bulldog ) on May 13, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Welcome to the big leagues, Brandon! But never mind the gangbangers - there are more law-abiding citizens than these low-life creeps. Use your cell phones and call 911 for ANYTHING that looks suspicious. We CAN make a difference and keep street crime out of our communities if we keep our eyes open and not assume "it will just go away." Because it won't unless we do something about it.
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Posted by ( rocknroll ) on May 13, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree bulldog, we can keep them out of our neighborhoods by being proactive and aware of our surroundings and actually doing something about it. And your right if we dont we will all be in the hood sooner or later. Where is the rec center, is that on providence between lumston and blooming dale.
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Posted by ( therockofages ) on May 13, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sounds like a hate crime to me.
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Posted by ( Mr_Peabody ) on May 13, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sadie Park is about a half a mile north of HWY 60 on Kingsway Road...I live less than a half mile from this park, and it is directly opposite the elementary school my son will be attending this fall...there has to be more to this story than someone just walking up and pulling a gun...I hope someone fesses up to what was really going down...
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Posted by ( MamaMagic ) on May 13, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Bulldog and RocknRoll are right on the money: call 911 for anything suspicious, even if you aren't sure it's necessary. Let LE do their job of investigating. People that know they're being watched won't make a move to commit a crime. Also be visible yourself., even if you just sit in your driveway reading the newspaper. When the troublemakers see activity they don't bother with the neighborhood.
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