3 Charged In Slaying Attempt

Henry Chriss' anger over losing $150 in a failed drug deal nearly got him killed, Hillsborough County deputies said.

Three people - including a stripper from Plant City - were arrested in connection with Chriss' shooting last month. All three face charges of first-degree attempted murder, deputies said.

Deputies arrested the stripper, 18-year-old Holly Ann Courcelle, Aug. 12. The next day, officers arrested Michael Anthony Lopes, 18, of Tampa, who is a sorter for UPS, and Jason Ray Flores, 21, of Tampa, who is unemployed.

The incident began over a dispute involving $150 owed to Chriss, 23, of Lakeland, who is Courcelle's boyfriend, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

Chriss had fronted $150 to Lopes for the purchase of drugs, and Lopes failed to provide the drugs to him, deputies said. Chriss called Lopes repeatedly, asking for the money or drugs, deputies said.

Lopes made arrangements with Flores and Courcelle to meet Chriss and kill him, deputies said.

Courcelle called Chriss about 20 times to arrange a meeting, and Chriss went to meet her and another person about 12:34 a.m. July 6 at Sligh Avenue near Harney Road, a criminal arrest affidavit states.

"When the victim showed up at the location in his 1999 Ford Explorer, Flores and Courcelle were in another vehicle," a news release states. "All parties engaged in a short conversation at which time Flores fired between 13-15 shots at the victim's vehicle."

One shot went through Chriss' side, striking his spine. He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and released.

Courcelle was being held last week at Falkenberg Road Jail with bail set at $250,000. Lopes were being held at Orient Road Jail with bail set at $250,000.

Flores, who was also charged with violation of probation on aggravated assault and aggravated battery charges, was being held without bail last week at Falkenberg Road Jail.