Tampa Man Charged with Murder of Former Hurricane Cleanup Co-worker

A man from Tampa has been arrested on suspicion of killing a man he used to work with while cleaning up after the hurricane. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Derrick Devard Smith, 30, is charged with shooting and killing a 32-year-old man in west Tampa yesterday afternoon. At at 3:45 p.m., the Tampa Police Department arrived at the scene of the shooting on the 1000 block of Century Park Drive and discovered the victim dead from gunshot wounds.

Witnesses reported a violent incident in which Smith allegedly shot the victim many times, kicked him, and then ran away, according to FOX 13 News. The victim apparently did not approach Smith closer than three feet before the shooting occurred, according to the inquiry, which also found no evidence of an intensifying altercation between the two men before the shootings.

Although investigators acknowledged that the two men were acquainted and had worked together during a hurricane, the reason for this deadly altercation is still being investigated. “This senseless act has taken the life of a young man, and our thoughts are with his loved ones as they navigate this difficult time,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw stated in a statement that WFLA was able to receive. Smith’s initial claim of self-defense has apparently been refuted by police-gathered evidence.

Following the incident, Derrick Smith was taken into custody and charged with murder. While the investigation is ongoing, he is being detained at the Orient Road Jail. The gun that was found in Smith’s car has been seized and is being used as evidence in the continuing investigation. In addition to promising to hold the suspect responsible for his conduct, officials emphasized their dedication to seeing that justice is done.

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