Two Plant City-area teenagers have been arrested in connection with Eastern Hillsborough gangs.
Carlos Perez, 17, of Plant City, has been arrested on charges of premeditated attempted murder in the first degree. Sebastian Guevara, 17, of Dover, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and minor in possession of a firearm.
According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports, certified Dover Loco gang member, Jose Escamilla, was having a cookout with several friends, family and other known Dover Loco gang members at about 6 p.m. July 8, at his residence, 14869 Haynes Road. Guevara, a certified Sur-13 gang member, rode his bicycle by Escamilla’s residence. Guevara started to argue with one of the cookout guests. The verbal altercation turned physical, and several other subjects jumped into the fight. After the fight ended, Guevara advised he would return.
Guevara walked to 2976 Dixon Ave., Lot No. 7, and met with fellow certified Sur-13 gang members. They all got into a white Dodge Dakota truck and drove to Escamilla’s house. Escamilla walked outside to see who was at his residence and observed the passenger of the truck with a gun. The subject pointed a small-caliber gun at Escamilla and fired multiple gunshots, striking him in the arm. The truck and occupants then fled the scene.
Deputies responded to a fight call July 10, at Escamilla’s residence. Jose Escamilla’s brother, Leopoldo Escamilla, observed three subjects in the cow pasture located behind their residence. Escamilla attempted to warn his family, and one of the suspects heard him yelling. The suspect then pointed an assault rifle at Escamilla and stated, “Rebound Homie.”
The three subjects then got into a vehicle and left the scene. Escamilla identified Guevara as the suspect who pointed the assault rifle at him. Guevara was taken into custody on aggravated-assault charges at his residence, 14753 Black Jack Road, Lot 4, Dover.
The Sheriffs Office’s Street Crimes was conducting proactive patrolling July 12, in the Dover area, and observed the white Dodge Dakota truck used in the shooting. After interviewing the owner of the vehicle, Perez was identified as the person who shot Jose Escamilla July 8.
Perez was arrested July 13, at Nesmith Park, in Plant City.
Deputies will continue to work on high-visibility patrols to prevent any further violence in the area.
