TAMPA -- An "Americans United" ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. today to honor those killed in last week's terrorist attacks. The show of solidarity with the victims and the rest of the nation will be at Courthouse Square in downtown Tampa. Music is planned, the Pledge of Allegiance will be read, and there will be presentations by the color guards from the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office and fire departments for Hillsborough, Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City. Local officials also will speak. Those interested in attending are encouraged to bring an American flag and to wear red, white and blue. For more information, call (813) 272-5275.

Oldsmar shop owner says burglary was backlash

OLDSMAR -- An Oldsmar business owner who is Palestinian thinks the burglary of his convenience store was a hate crime, although the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said it was likely a random smash-and-grab burglary.

Jamil Salhab, owner of the Wanna Save food store at 300 St. Petersburg Drive E, said he thinks he is a victim of the backlash against Muslims after the terrorist attacks in New York and outside Washington, D.C.

Burglars drove a vehicle into the back of his store about 4 a.m. Saturday and took the cash register, which Salhab said contained about $50 in cash. He said the thieves did not touch the $80 in coins that were next to the cash register.

"I do believe it is related to what happened in New York," he said. "We are American. America is a mix of different people. . . . Whoever does anything to me does something to America."

Sgt. Greg Tita, a spokesman for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, said investigators will continue looking into the incident today.

"There is no indication that it's a hate crime at this time," Tita said.

Police arrest man in connection with shooting

ST. PETERSBURG -- Police arrested a St. Petersburg man Sunday on an attempted murder charge in a shooting that left another man in critical condition. Police arrested Theron W. Martin, 24, of 1619 29th St. S, after deputies in Hillsborough County picked him up on charges of fleeing and eluding, said Rick Stelljes, a spokesman for the St. Petersburg Police Department. Police said Martin is responsible for the shooting of Rolando Meno Davis shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday. Davis, 27, of St. Petersburg, was found lying near 17th Avenue S and 29th Street with multiple gunshot wounds in his head and upper body. He was taken to Bayfront Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition Sunday.

Man, 20, critically injured in stabbing

TAMPA -- A 20-year-old Tampa man was in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital after he was stabbed in the neck during an argument about 3 a.m. Sunday.

Andrew Beltran, 17, is accused of stabbing Rosendo Gomez-Diaz on 140th Avenue just east of 15th Street. Beltran was later caught at a residence in north Tampa, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

Gomez-Diaz was transported to the hospital by helicopter. Beltran is charged with attempted murder and is being held without bail at a Hillsborough County jail.

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