While the holidays may have been merry and bright for most, Plant City Police Department (PCPD) was busy investigating a Christmas day shooting that left two dead.
The homicide occurred at approximately 9:41 p.m. on Dec. 25 in the 1300 block of Louisiana Street. According to the incident report, officers responded to a report of a shooting with injuries after receiving a 911 call and encountered the victim, clutching his chest and informing police he had been shot. The victim, Jamayais Bennett, 20, was transported to South Florida Baptist Hospital by Plant City Fire Rescue but succumbed to his injuries.
According to police, witnesses advised that there was a possible second victim. Prior to the shooting, Bennett was seen on foot in the area talking on a cellphone when another person walked up to him. The shooter, who fired multiple rounds at both victims, was driving what was described as a silver SUV. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate another injured victim at the time, but the second victim was discovered at approximately 8:05 a.m. on Dec. 27, when an officer responded to the Garden of Peace Cemetery, where a cemetery employee advised police that while he was making a routine check of the property he observed a black male covered in blood and lying motionless on the ground near the property’s tree-line. It had been several days since the property was checked. The victim, who was deceased, was later identified as Zonteveon Shaw, 30.
PCPD Chief James Bradford said a dedicated team of detectives is tirelessly working to uncover the truth behind these senseless homicides. “We are following up on leads and utilizing every resource at our disposal to bring justice to the victims and their families,” he said. “We urge anyone with information to come forward and help us in our investigation. Your information can make a significant difference in solving this case.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sergeant Gerald Baker at 813-707-2271.
In addition, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the unknown suspects involved in the case. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspects and who wants to be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or **TIPS, report anonymously online at crimestopperstb.com or send a mobile tip using the free Florida Crime Stoppers Mobile application. Crime Stoppers must be contacted first in order to be eligible for a cash reward.