Crime & Safety

Roommates Argue, Gun Brandished, 1 Dead in Seffner Double Shooting

Ruben Gonzalez loses his life while Ramos Felipe Jr. fights for his at Tampa General Hosptial following a May 12 argument that led to a double shooting at their home on Valencia Drive in Seffner.

An altercation between two men in Seffner turned fatal when one of the two men brandished a shotgun and shots were fired, resulting in both men being shot, according to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Ruben Gonzalez, who would have turned 37 on May 18, died at Tampa General Hosptial, where he was transported after the May 12 shooting. He lived at 11605 Valencia Drive.

Also living at the address was the second man shot, Ramos Felipe Jr., 38. He remained in critical condition at Tampa General Hosptial, according to the May 13 report at 5:38 p.m.

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The men were transported to the hospital after deputies responded to the scene, at around 9:30 p.m. May 12.

According to Detective Larry McKinnon, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the two men were at their home when they started arguing.

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“The argument turned into a physical altercation and Ramos armed himself with a handgun,” McKinnon reported May 13 at 5:38 p.m. “As the two men tussled, shots were fired resulting in both men being shot.”

Next of kin was notified, the gun believed to have been used in the altercation had been recovered and no charges were filed pending further investigation, according to McKinnon’s report.

Tammy Holloway, who lives three houses away from the home where the incident occurred, was in her backyard when she heard what she thought were firecrackers.

“I heard a bam, bam, bam, then a woman screaming,” Holloway told reporter Kevin Brady, for a  from the scene. "It didn’t sound loud enough to be gunshots but then I came outside later and the street was covered with deputies.”

According to neighbors, two men were fighting in the front yard when the shooting took place.

“I’ve heard a few fights on the street but this is the first time we’ve had something like this happen,” said Derrick Bullard, a five-year resident of Valencia Drive. 

One of the shooting victims also spoke openly about owning a handgun, neighbors said.


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