Vleet Watts

Vleet Watts, a 61-year-old African-American man, was a familiar and friendly presence in his Tampa, Florida, community. Known to his loved ones as a caring individual, his sudden and violent death in December 2015 left a profound void in the lives of his family and friends. His life was celebrated and mourned at a funeral service held on Saturday, January 2, 2016, at the Greater Mount Carmel AME Church in Tampa, where those who knew him gathered to remember the man they had lost.

The tragic end to Vleet's life began on a Friday night. On December 11, 2015, at around 11:00 p.m., he was standing on the north side of Leon's Package Store, a local liquor and convenience store situated at the corner of 29th Street and 31st Avenue in East Tampa. In an instant, the ordinary night was shattered by gunfire. An unknown assailant shot Vleet once directly in the chest. The attack was swift and brutal, leaving him with a critical injury. Emergency services were called to the scene, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate medical intervention.

In a related development shortly after Vleet was transported, another individual arrived at the same hospital's emergency room. This person had sustained a gunshot wound to the hand. Investigators believe this second victim was injured during the same violent incident at the package store that claimed Vleet's life. For nine days, Vleet Watts fought courageously for his life as medical teams worked tirelessly to treat his severe injury. Despite their best efforts, the damage from the single bullet was too extensive. On December 20, 2015, Vleet succumbed to his injuries and passed away, turning a violent assault into a homicide case.

The Tampa Police Department launched a full investigation into the shooting. Detectives began the arduous process of collecting evidence and speaking with potential witnesses in the area, a neighborhood composed of modest residential homes and various small businesses. A key piece of evidence recovered by investigators was surveillance video from the vicinity of the crime scene. The footage captured a vehicle fleeing the area immediately after the shooting, but the quality was not sufficient to clearly identify the make or model of the car, its license plate, or the occupants inside. The motive for the shooting has never been determined or publicly released by the authorities.

Years have passed since Vleet Watts was killed, but the case remains unsolved. No suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made, leaving his family with unanswered questions and an enduring sense of loss. The person or persons responsible for his death have not been brought to justice. The investigation is still considered open by the Tampa Police Department, awaiting any new information or leads that could help detectives break the stalemate and close the case.

In an effort to generate new leads, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay has offered a financial incentive for information. A cash reward of up to $3,000 is available for any tip that leads directly to the identification and subsequent arrest of the suspect or suspects responsible for the murder of Vleet Watts. Law enforcement and his family hope that the passage of time may encourage someone with knowledge of the crime to come forward. Anyone with information, regardless of how minor it may seem, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), online at www.crimestopperstb.com, or through the P3 Tips Mobile application. To be eligible for the reward, the tip must be submitted directly to Crime Stoppers first.