By Andy Boyle, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 23, 2010
ST. PETERSBURG — A teenager arrested Wednesday on armed robbery charges has been linked to a Sept. 3 shooting near a Lakewood High football game, police said.
Cortez Little, 17, of St. Petersburg was arrested with three others on charges of robbing two juveniles near the Mariner Point Apartments. During the robbery, one suspect fired a handgun into the street when a victim questioned whether the gun was real. They took a cell phone and a small amount of cash, police said.
Police found a large-caliber shell casing at the scene.
After the robbery, Little and the suspects left in an older-model white four-door vehicle, police said.
A second suspect in that robbery, Tron J. Russ, 18, was arrested Sunday and charged with armed robbery, possessing a firearm as a felon and providing a false name to police. The firearm used in that robbery hasn't been found, police said.
Police say Little is also a suspect in a shooting outside Lakewood High when the team played Gibbs High on Sept. 3. They would not explain what links him to the shooting, saying it is still under investigation.
A gunshot was heard about 100 yards from the stadium, prompting the sold-out crowd of 1,500 to hit the deck. The game ended early with five minutes left before the stadium was evacuated. Lakewood won 32-12.
Little has not been charged in the Lakewood High shooting. Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call (727) 893-7780 or anonymously at (727) 892-5000 or text a tip to (727) 420-8911.