The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested and charged a man on Feb. 6 in connection with a fatal shooting the previous night at a convenience store in Tampa.

  • One person dead in shooting
  • Gunshots at Shubh Mini Mart on Orient Rd and 25th Ave
  • Investigation ongoing

Deputies arrested William Dennard Jr., 20, of Tampa and charged him with murder in the second degree, felon in possession of a firearm, and carrying a concealed firearm. Using a description of a subject leaving the scene provided by a witness, they located Dennard approximately .1 miles from the scene of the shooting.

Dennard was reportedly carrying a 9mm pistol in his right front pocket.

Witnesses called 911 after hearing several gunshots near the Shubh Mini Mart on Orient Road and 25th Avenue just after 10 p.m. (Jason Lanning, staff)

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, witnesses called 911 after hearing several gunshots near the Shubh Mini Mart on Orient Road and 25th Avenue just after 10 p.m. 

When deputies arrived, they found a man outside the front door in the parking lot. He was rushed to Tampa General Hospital where he died. Authorities later identified the victim as Bernard Links, 26, of Tampa.

According to investigators, surveillance video from the scene shows Dennard approaching the victim with his arm extended as though pointing a weapon at the victim. He first attempts to make physical contact with the victim, then backs away and fires a single shot.