Crime
Silas Sampson Arrested After Police Chase Ends in Fiery Crash That Killed 4 and Injured 11 in Ybor City
TAMPA, Fla. (November 8, 2025) — Authorities in Tampa are investigating a devastating crash that occurred early Saturday morning in Ybor City following a high-speed police pursuit.
The incident left four people dead and eleven others injured, according to the Tampa Police Department (TPD).
At approximately 12:40 a.m., Tampa Police Air Service began monitoring a vehicle driving recklessly at a high rate of speed along Interstate 275.
The driver, later identified as 22-year-old Silas Sampson, reportedly exited the interstate at Doyle Carlton Drive after having been seen street racing earlier on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street, authorities said.
As the TPD Air Service unit continued surveillance, officers and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers located the suspect vehicle around 12:45 a.m. in the area of Palm Avenue and Nebraska Avenue.
Troopers initiated a pursuit and attempted a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, which was unsuccessful.
Sampson continued eastbound on 7th Avenue at a dangerously high speed, prompting FHP to disengage the chase for public safety reasons.
Moments later, Sampson lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into a business along 7th Avenue, striking more than a dozen pedestrians who were gathered outside.
According to TPD, three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a fourth victim succumbed to injuries at the hospital.
One additional person remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Eight more victims sustained serious but stable injuries, and two others suffered minor injuries but declined medical treatment.
All 15 victims were adults, police confirmed.
Sampson was taken into custody at the scene and has been charged with multiple counts of vehicular homicide.
“This was a senseless tragedy that has devastated our community,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted. Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger. The Tampa Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families.”
The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the traffic crash investigation, with assistance from TPD.
Officials stated that the investigation remains active and that further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bard’s legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard “was completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.”
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneys’ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the son’s dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were “ill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.”
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bard’s sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the son’s belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and “violently and viciously attacked” Bard’s son and family members.
According to the release, Bard’s son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
“In the chaos,” the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bard’s son and sought assistance from criminal groups—claims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bard’s son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.