Earlier this morning, the suspect, Clay Allred, 29, came inside the Mobil gas station at N. 30th Street and E. Fowler Avenue. While inside the store, the suspect got into an argument with the victim. The victim told the suspect to leave the store. Once the suspect walked out of the store, he got into his red Jeep Wrangler.
During the altercation, the suspect made some ethnic slurs to the victim who is Arabic. The suspect pulled out of the parking space and stopped in front of the store. While in front of the store, the suspect fired three shots and drove off.
MPO J. Cooper and Officer A. Christon who were in the vicinity of the Mobil gas station arrived within seconds of the shots being fired. They issued a BOLO for a red Jeep Wrangler. Corporal B. Hoskins observed the red Jeep Wrangler make a U-turn from southbound to northbound N. 30th Street at E. Fowler Avenue. Corporal Hoskins gave frequent updates over the radio.
When enough officers were behind Corporal Hoskins a felony traffic stop was conducted at E. Fletcher Avenue and Magnolia Drive. Corporal Hoskins, K-9 Officer R. Flannigan, Officer T. Farrell, Officer G. Saunders, MPO S. Ray, MPO M. Provenza and Officer N. Ramiro conducted the felony traffic stop.
The suspect was handcuffed by Officer Ramiro and taken into custody. Two pistols could be seen in plain view inside the Jeep along with an AR-15 assault rifle. There was a lot of military equipment in the back of the Jeep as well. Not knowing exactly what else was inside the vehicle, Sergeant J. Seal was notified and responded.
The Bomb team, consisting of Corporal R. Clifford, MPO B. Baird and MPO J. Cooper, came out along with Tampa Fire Rescue. The Bomb team methodically emptied the Jeep. Detective N. Sclavakis was notified.
Detective K. Petrillo assisted with the investigation. Lt. Preyer and Sgt. Bodamer were at the scene. The suspect was booked and charged with Aggravated Assault (Hate Crime) and Shooting from a Vehicle and Criminal Mischief.
There were no Injuries reported in this incident.
