The killing happened Thursday about 2 a.m. near 3404 49th St. Police said Byron Harris, 20, was staying with his godfather at that address when he stepped outside for an unknown reason.

Harris was shot once in the back a few houses away, police said, and died at the front door of his godparent's home.

Anyone with any information on the case was asked to call Tampa Police Detective Bob Holland at (813) 276-3560.

Mayor, police chief to honor slain officers

TAMPA -- Tampa police Chief Bennie Holder and Mayor Dick Greco will be on hand today for a memorial ceremony to honor the 24 city officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The event, to be held at 10 a.m. in front of the Tampa Police headquarters at 411 N Franklin St., is part of National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Week, and will include a 21-gun salute, taps and flyover by the Tampa police aviation unit.

After the ceremony, Southern Power and Controls, a privately owned Tampa electrical contracting firm, will host a luncheon, the proceeds of which will go to the Gold Shield Foundation.

Established 20 years ago, the Gold Shield Foundation provides financial and educational support to families of fallen officers.

Ailing pregnant woman flown from charter boat

CLEARWATER -- The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a sick, pregnant woman from a boat 15 miles off Clearwater Beach on Thursday morning.

A Coast Guard rescue helicopter was flying near St. Petersburg when the captain of the Two Georges, an 85-foot charter fishing boat out of Tarpon Springs, called for help. Nicole Massulo, 20 and seven weeks pregnant, had become ill and was losing consciousness.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was lowered to the vessel, where he stabilized Massulo, then hoisted her onto the helicopter. She was taken to a waiting ambulance, which took her to Largo Medical Center. She had improved on the helicopter and was in stable condition when she arrived at the hospital, Coast Guard officials said.

Azalea school worker charged with theft

ST. PETERSBURG -- A teacher's assistant at Azalea Middle School has been arrested and charged with grand theft. Police say she stole more than $1,000 in cash and property from the teacher's lounge.

Deri Denise Williams of 2531 64th Ave. S, Apt. 300, was arrested Wednesday after a hidden video camera caught her taking $50 from a purse, said campus police Chief Joe Feraca.

The investigation into Williams, 29, began after several thefts were reported to campus police by the principal, Feraca said. Among the items stolen were two cellular phones and $500 in traveler's checks.

Williams, who worked full-time in the school's dropout prevention program, was hired by the school district in 1999. She earned $8.75 an hour.

Williams must meet with the district's office of professional standards before a decision is made on whether to suspend her without pay.

She was released from the Pinellas County Jail on Thursday.

Suspect in thefts wanted in Illinois

ST. PETERSBURG -- A fugitive from Illinois and his girlfriend were arrested Thursday on suspicion of stealing thousands of dollars in tools and equipment from construction sites and selling them to pawn shops.

Pinellas authorities arrested Troy A. Huggins, 33, and his girlfriend, Jennifer L. Legendre, 20, in the parking lot of a drugstore at 54th Avenue N. and 66th Street N.

Huggins, a carpenter, also faces outstanding warrants from Illinois on weapons violations, possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, burglary and a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Grant writing program scheduled June 7-8

Pinellas and Hillsborough Grant Collaboratives will host a grant training conference, "Effective Grant Writing for Bridging Change," June 7-8 at Armwood High School, 12000 U.S. 92, Seffner.

The event is designed to provide non-profit organizations with information and resources to gain funding through grant writing. Topics will include fundamentals of grant writing, locating funding and Internet resources, budgets, collaborations, and grant ethics.

The conference runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 and from 8 a.m. to noon June 8. The fee is $30 by today or $35 thereafter and includes breakfast on both days and lunch on June 7. To register, call (813) 495-7677.

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