Homicide suspect arrested in Hillsborough County

Photo by Scott Rodgerson | Unsplash

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating an early morning domestic disturbance that escalated to a homicide, a press release states.

According to the release, on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 1 a.m., the Communications Center received a call from a male that an individual had been shot.
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Deputies arrived near the 5800 block of U.S. Highway 92, where they encountered Erick Gonzalez Garay, 27, and an adult woman who was pronounced deceased at the scene. After a thorough investigation, detectives arrested Garay and transported him to Orient Road Jail for booking.

Photo by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office | Press Release

He's currently charged with the following:

• Murder in the Second Degree Firearm-Great Bodily/Harm Death
• Tampering With Physical Evidence
• Tampering With a Witness
• Aggravated Assault With Intent to Commit a Felony with a Weapon

"I condemn this heinous act of violence in the strongest terms, and I'm urging our community to come together, to look out for one another, and to speak out against domestic violence," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "We are here to protect and serve, and we will continue to do everything in our power to make our community a safer place for all."

If you or someone you know is involved in a domestic violence situation, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office encourages you to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, at 800-799-7233, or The Spring of Tampa Bay, at 813-248-1050.
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Any further information will be released by the Public Affairs Office.