TAMPA, Fla. — Police arrested two teenagers in connection with a shooting that occurred at the Westshore Plaza Mall Wednesday afternoon.
The Tampa Police Department said they arrested Tarivus Clemons and Armontae Wilson, both 16, after they allegedly shot at a car during a narcotics transaction in the parking garage.
TPD was notified of shots heard in the mall parking lot around 2:40 p.m. Shortly after, a man at a different location told officers he was the one who had been shot.
Police said while investigating, they learned that the victim arrived at the garage to meet with Clemons and Wilson. The suspects then approached the front passenger side of the car where the victim was sitting and tried to "rob him of his marijuana."
When the driver started to drive off, police said Wilson and Clemons fired several rounds into the vehicle, striking the passenger twice.
The victims fled the area before stopping at a nearby home and calling 911, where police arrived and found the victim, who had been shot. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver was not hurt.
After developing leads, police said they identified Clemons and Wilson as suspects and, within hours, found Clemons at his home on West Trilby Avenue. He was taken into custody without incident.
Just before 10 p.m., police said they found Wilson at his home on Ohio Avenue and arrested him. The two guns used during the incident were also recovered by investigators.
Both teenagers face a number of charges, including armed robbery, shooting into a vehicle and aggravated battery - great bodily harm or deadly weapon.
Police said this is still an active investigation while they try to determine how the two came into possession of the guns.
