Man arrested for shooting man over socks in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa police arrested a man on murder charges in August after he shot a man he thought was stealing his socks.

On August 9, officers responded to the Copeland Park area and found a man in his early 20s suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital where he died.

A witness reported the incident and identified the suspect as 30-year-old Jerome Parker. The witness said the victim found socks on the floor and Parker accused him of stealing them from him, a news release said.

The two got into a fight and Parker threatened the victim with a gun, prompting the victim to hit Parker, police said. Parker then shot the victim.

“This was a completely senseless act of violence that cost a young man his life,” said Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “I am grateful that the diligent work of our investigators has led to an arrest that will hopefully provide some closure for the victim's family.”

Investigators said they used DNA evidence and developed leads over the course of the investigation that led them to Parker, who is charged with first-degree intentional murder with a firearm causing great bodily injury or death.