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Man shot to death near USF
The man is found dead in the parking lot of Springwood Apartments.
By MICHAEL A. MOHAMMED
Published April 12, 2007
TAMPA - As Michael Johnson barbecued outside his apartment about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, he heard five gunshots crack the humid air. Seconds later a man ran up. Blood covered his hands and back. Johnson said the man blurted out that his brother had been shot, and asked him to call 911. Sheriff's deputies soon arrived at Springwood Apartments, near the intersection of N 42nd St. and Woodspring Lane and about a block from the University of South Florida. They found Leonardo A. Thomas, 28, dead on the parking lot pavement with wounds from at least three bullets. Two hours later, work lights pierced the darkness around the spot where he fell. Beyond yellow tape, detectives with flashlights tried to figure out what happened to Thomas, who sheriff's officials say lived at 4209 Winding Moss Trail in Tampa. Two women and three men arrived with a look of anxiety in their faces. One woman ducked under the tape. She told the deputy who stopped her that they were looking for her brother. Another officer came to talk to them, ushering the family away from onlookers. Soon the women started to weep. A thunderclap sounded. Rain fell. Silent, the family walked away from the crime scene tape and got into a truck. Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said investigators were still interviewing at least four witnesses late Wednesday. "It's sad, man," said Johnson. "Someone's life is over, probably over something silly." Michael A. Mohammed can be reached at mmohammed@sptimes.com or 813 226-3404.
[Last modified April 12, 2007, 06:41:48]
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by Chris
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04/30/07 09:24 PM
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yeah it was over something silly.see,that rainy evening leo was leaning on a car,when a man approached him demanding he get off his car.the comment had a rude tone and leo just told the man to relax an talk to him with respect and was shot for it.
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by Sherry
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04/21/07 05:16 PM
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Leo is my nephew and he will be missed by all of his family and friends. I just hope/pray that this tragedy can be used as a life lesson for someone.
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by Lloyd
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04/19/07 03:16 AM
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Leonardo is / was my brother, and I appreciate your comments Laura. He died over something as simple as leaning against someone vehicle. People, love one another, and teach your children to do the same. That's how crime will decrease in Tampa.
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by me
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04/13/07 01:24 PM
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it is sad. we have to do something about crime. it's killing our young men and women. leaving children without parents and another incarcerated...and for what?!
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by Laura
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04/12/07 12:54 PM
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NO NO this is bad. Crime is down in Tampa. I'm so sorry for the loss of this family. Make the police do their job and find the murderer. I'm sorry for your loss of son, brother, friend, loved one.
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