TAMPA — A teenager accused of trying to kill a man who dressed as a woman — and then bragging about it — was found guilty Thursday of five counts including attempted murder.
Tavares Spencer, of Tampa, was tried as an adult on charges of attempted first-degree felony murder, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and robbery. He was found guilty of all five counts, jail records show.
It was a hate crime, police said.
Investigators said Spencer first met his victim, Terrience McDonald, now 23, at a party and they agreed to meet again. On April 9, they met at a vacant house.
McDonald, a man who dresses as a woman, felt uncomfortable and was trying to leave when Spencer pulled a gun, police said.
Spencer shot McDonald and stole his purse and cellphone. Soon after the shooting, Spencer bragged in text messages about the incident, investigators said.
Spencer, held in jail without bail, still faces sentencing.