TPD: 3 arrested in connection with 2021 shooting death of man found in car on I-275
TAMPA, Fla. - Nearly one year after a Tampa man, his step-brother, and his sister were shot to death withing a 2-month period, law enforcement officers say they've pieced together what happened and made three arrests in the alleged murders.
It started on July 8, 2021, when Tampa police were called Interstate 275 near Sligh Avenue where a Blue Dodge Challenger had crashed. Police said one of the callers who reported the crash told them he heard gunshots in addition to the crash.
Tampa Fire Rescue found the Challenger parked on the inside shoulder with the driver, later identified as Lance Henry James, Jr., 22, inside with a gunshot wound.
He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and later died from his injuries.
A month later, police say James’ step-brother and sister were shot in the Wildwood area. His sister died from her injuries.
Raphael Tyree Thomas was later arrested by Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputies for the two Wildwood shootings. He was changed with murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.
Meanwhile, Tampa police detectives linked Thomas and two others to James' shooting death along I-275.
Raphael T. Thomas, Tyrone James Ellison, and Donte Moses Turner have now been arrested and charged.
Police have not said how they connected the killings – or how the suspects are connected to each other and the victims.
Officials said Thomas was already in jail in Sumter County. He now faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, first degree murder, and shooting into a vehicle.
Ellison and Turner were also already incarcerated on unrelated firearm possession warrants.
Turner has now been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree.
A previous version of this story showed a photograph of a person who is not involved with these cases. The photo has been updated to identify Raphael Tyree Thomas.