By Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
RIVERVIEW — Deputies are searching for the suspected shooter in Tuesday's melee that killed Latin Life gang member Gregorio Santana, 23, and critically injured his twin brother.
The Sheriff's Office has issued a warrant for Mario Mercado, 21, of 12502 Elnora Drive in Riverview, charging him with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
They are asking anyone with information to call them at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.
This is what deputies say happened:
Tuesday evening, a group that included several gang members started arguing outside the Life Saver store in Riverview. The group left the store and continued arguing in front of a home on Glenshire Drive.
During the fight, West Side gang member Christopher Sanchez, 22, was hit with a beer bottle that was thrown at him by an unknown suspect.
Mercado then pulled out a pistol and open fire on Santana and his twin brother, Felix Santana, the Sheriff's Office said.
Mercado then fled the scene in a car driven by Sanchez.
At about 6:11 p.m., deputies arrived at the scene and found the twins suffering from gunshot wounds. Gregorio Santana died at the scene, and his brother was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he is in critical condition.
A few minutes later, deputies arrived at a nearby fire station on Big Bend Road, where Sanchez had driven. He had severe lacerations from the beer bottle.
Deputies saw three other people in the car, but they ran away. The deputies were able to find all the men except for Mercado.
Records show that deputies have been called to the house on Glenshire Drive once in the past year. On Jan. 15, they responded to a criminal mischief call.
Deputies say it's unclear if Tuesday's dispute was a fight between rival gangs. They know that the Santana brothers were both members of the Latin Life gang. And they say that Sanchez is a member of the West Side gang.
They believe Mercado, who lives with Sanchez, is also a member of a gang, but they aren't sure which one.
Times staff writer Danny Valentine contributed to this report. Jessica Vander Velde can be reached at jvandervelde@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3433.