TAMPA, Fla. — Local and state officials are concerned with this week's spike in violence in East Tampa.

Since Tuesday, 14 people have been shot, three fatally, in the area.


What You Need To Know

  • 14 people shot, 3 fatally this week in East Tampa, no arrests in shootings

  • 2 men killed in shooting Thursday night

  • Tampa and state lawmakers met virtually Thursday night to discuss stoppingthe violence

On Thursday night, officers responded to an  East Palifox Street home to find six people shot. Two men died at the scene.

Lawmakers held an emergency virtual meeting Thursday night to discuss measures to try and calm tensions.

According to Spectrum Bay News 9’s partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, Thursday’s shooting happened at a home where a group of young men had gathered to play dominoes under a tent in the yard.

On Tuesday, a shooting happened about 10 minutes away at a basketball court where a drive-by gunman sprayed gunfire at a group of people, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Eight people, ages 17 to 36, suffered gunshot wounds. A 36-year-old man later died at the hospital.

Meanwhile, authorities are searching for a stolen car in connection with that shooting.

Hours after the more recent shooting Tampa City Council members met for a virtual news conference.

State Rep. Dianne Hart said she is calling for calm in community. She also asked parents to make sure their children are safe.

“I don’t know what else to ask other than to plead with you all. We’re better than this," Hart said. "Our community cannot continue with these daily shootings. We’ve had some terrible, horrific shootings this past week.”

Authorities have not said if the shootings are connected. An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on either shooting is asked to contact authorities.

"This is not what we want for our community,” said State Rep. Fentrice Driskell. “It's not what we want for our neighborhoods, it's not what we want for our families."