Crime
Violent Hit and Run: Tampa Officers Fatally Shoot Suspect, 1 pedestrian killed, several injured
Bailey struck and fatally injured an unidentified adult Hispanic male walking in the 5800 block of Interbay Boulevard.
Tampa, FL (January 27, 2025) – Tampa Police are actively investigating a series of violent incidents that unfolded on the evening of January 26, 2025, culminating in a fatal officer-involved shooting.
The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Jeremiah Bailey, was involved in multiple hit-and-run incidents across South Tampa, resulting in three injuries and one fatality.
Bailey, who had an extensive criminal history that included charges of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Battery on an EMT, and Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, had been released from the Florida State Prison in October 2022.
At 8:35 p.m., Tampa Police received the first reports of Bailey’s erratic behavior, which began with an altercation at a Dollar General store. In the store’s parking lot, Bailey intentionally blocked the vehicle of 47-year-old Eric Archield.
After a brief verbal exchange, Archield was able to leave the scene, but Bailey followed him to a friend’s residence near W. Meadow St. and S. MacDill Ave., where he struck Archield with his vehicle.
In response, Archield’s friend fired a weapon to deter Bailey, who then fled. Archield sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Bailey continued his reckless actions, driving northbound on MacDill Avenue near Interbay Boulevard. Witnesses reported that his vehicle, a white Honda, veered off the road near a Mobil Gas Station and intentionally struck 43-year-old Jesse Rickett, causing severe head injuries. Rickett was transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.
Shortly after, Bailey struck and fatally injured an unidentified adult Hispanic male walking in the 5800 block of Interbay Boulevard. Efforts to confirm his identity and notify next of kin are ongoing.
At approximately 9:00 p.m., a Tampa Police officer observed Bailey removing a bicycle from the trunk of his car on Wyoming Avenue. The officer ordered him to stop, but Bailey discarded the bicycle, reentered his vehicle, and fled at high speed.
Before officers could locate him again, Bailey struck 41-year-old Timothy Harden near West Shore Boulevard and Lemon Street as he crossed the street with his wife. Harden was transported to the hospital for evaluation, while his wife escaped injury.
Tampa Police officers located Bailey’s vehicle shortly after the last hit-and-run and initiated a pursuit onto Interstate 275 northbound.
Officers successfully performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the vehicle. Despite multiple verbal commands to show his hands, Bailey made a motion that led officers to believe their lives were in imminent danger, prompting them to open fire.
Bailey was struck by gunfire and pronounced deceased at the scene. No firearm was found in his possession or inside his vehicle; however, searches of the areas he traveled are ongoing.
Seven officers discharged their firearms during the incident. They have been identified as:
- Officer Algenis Maceo, Hispanic male, 8+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Jacob Petit, White male, 7+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Andrew Haase, White male, 5+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Bryan Velazquez, Hispanic male, 5+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Erik Lopez, Hispanic male, 4+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Santiago Alzate-Castro, Hispanic male, 2+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Nathan Berry, White male, 1 year with Tampa Police
Three officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident, likely due to ricochets or debris. They have been identified as:
- Sergeant Joe Ltief, White male, 10+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Rachel Carr, White female, 5+ years with Tampa Police
- Officer Joseph Barry, White male, 4 years with Tampa Police
The injured officers were treated at a local hospital and have since been released.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, and all officers involved have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy. Tampa Police detectives continue to investigate each hit-and-run incident and are working to determine Bailey’s motives.
“This video footage highlights the heroic efforts made by our officers to stop an ongoing and dangerous threat to our community. Our thoughts remain with the victims affected by these heinous acts, and our Victim Advocate Unit is providing necessary support and resources,” said Chief Bercaw.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information related to these incidents to contact the Tampa Police Department at (813) 231-6130, or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS.
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.