1 dead, 7 hurt in Tampa strip club shooting

Author: AP
Published: Updated:

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – A shooting at a strip club early Saturday morning in Tampa, Florida, left one person dead, seven injured and police searching for answers.

Hours later, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay said it was offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person – or people – who fired the shots.

Tampa Police spokesman Stephen Hegarty said in a news release that the shots were fired at Club Rayne, located just north of the Tampa’s downtown, shortly after 2 a.m. The club with the bright purple exterior was described in online reviews by patrons as having “beautiful women and great music.”

The injured range in age from 17 to 32, and six are being treated at Tampa-area hospitals. Hegarty said the injuries range from “minor to very serious” and all suffered from gunshot wounds.

Three of the victims were women.

Officials haven’t released the name of the deceased victim. They are also investigating the motive for the shooting.

The other victims are Restaycia Carnegie, 20; Sheila McFadden, 17; Lancinet Stephens, 20; Equanzick Howell, 28; Jose Humphrey, 32; Christopher Houston, 20; and Mekyala Mann, 24.

It’s unknown how many people were inside the establishment at the time of the shooting. Video on social media from club-goers captured the shots and the ensuing chaos.

Reached by phone at the club, owner Roberto Mederos declined to comment. It’s unclear when the club might reopen.

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