TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Teenager's birthday party turns tragic

Staff photo by CHRIS URSO

Investigators search for clues outside of American Legion Post 173 where a man was found dead.

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: October 31, 2009

Updated: 10/31/2009 04:48 pm

Related Links

• Crime scene photos
• Rapper found dead

Shamir Garnelo

HOLIDAY - A 21-year-old rapper, hired to perform at a teenager's birthday party, was killed in the bathroom of an American Legion hall early this morning.

Shamir Garnelo of Plant City was found about 1:46 a.m. at American Legion Post 173, which was rented for a teenage girl's party. The hall is at 1750 Arcadia Road.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said the next of kin has been notified but would not release any details of the death.

Mangual Gabriel, 18, said he arrived to the party late and saw about 40 to 50 people, some running out and crying. He said he went in and saw the victim on the floor, with a stab wound in the back of the neck.

Gabriel said the victim tried to speak but couldn't.

"The walls were full of blood and fingerprints, like he tried to fight back," Gabriel said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call detective James Gariepy at 1-800-854-2862, ext. 7279.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.

Share this:

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT