Advertisement

Tarpon Springs man shot dead outside downtown Tampa nightclub

 
The scene of Thursday's early-morning shooting, near Club Underground at N Whiting and Jefferson streets in downtown Tampa. [SAM OWENS   |   Times]
The scene of Thursday's early-morning shooting, near Club Underground at N Whiting and Jefferson streets in downtown Tampa. [SAM OWENS | Times]
Published Aug. 22, 2014

TAMPA — A Tarpon Springs man was shot to death early Thursday morning after he got into an argument inside a downtown Tampa nightclub, police said.

Terence W. Wilson, 23, left Club Underground at 802 E Whiting St. about 2 a.m. and walked to his car in a lot at 901 E Whiting St., police said. When he got to his vehicle, someone walked up and shot him. Witnesses flagged down a police officer.

Wilson's death was the second nightclub-related killing this week in Hillsborough County, following Sunday's shooting outside a bar near Temple Terrace.

Based on interviews with club patrons and bouncers, detectives believed the argument inside Club Underground led to the shooting. Police were reviewing video surveillance to try to identify a suspect.

Wilson recently moved to Florida, police said. He and his family were renting a house in Tarpon Springs.

The 22,000-square-foot club bills itself as "the bay area's largest premiere nightclub" and features six bars and a 7,500-square-foot dance floor, according to its website. Its owner could not be reached Thursday for comment.

Club Underground has been the scene of precipitating violence in the past.

In 2005, 21-year-old Vanderbilt University running back Kwane Doster was visiting the club with friends when the group argued with another party about whose car was better. Doster and his friends left, but the groups crossed paths again minutes later at Salem's Gyro Shop on Nebraska Avenue. Shots rang out, and Doster died. A man was charged with his murder, but prosecutors later dropped the case due to problems with evidence.

Later that year, two men survived a shooting during a fight outside the club.

In 2007, 20-year-old Broderick Buchanan died after he was shot in the head shortly after leaving the club. Police later arrested Benjamin Clark on weapons-related charges in the case.

In 2008, Jose D. Cortes, 23, died after he was hit in the head with a metal chair during a fight inside the club. Enoc Calderon-Perez was later convicted of manslaughter in his death.

And in January 2011, a man was shot outside the club, leading to a police chase that stretched across the Howard Frankland Bridge into Pinellas County, where the suspects escaped. The victim in that case survived.

Since 1995, the city has required some clubs with permitted occupancies of 250 or more to hire two extra-duty officers, but no additional officers are required even if the club's capacity tops 1,000.

The Tampa City Council has for years been discussing ways of requiring better security at the city's largest nightclubs. It started in late 2011 after shootings killed one man and wounded six more at two nightclubs — both now closed — in or near Ybor City. But the council has not adopted the proposed regulations after businesses raised objections.

In the other shooting this week, Mirabel Sanchez-Garza, 49, of Plant City died after being shot Sunday outside Club 301 near Temple Terrace. Dougie Glidden, 18, of Dover was charged with second-degree murder.

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter

We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

Owner Greg Burgos said Glidden was angry because he was not allowed back inside after leaving the club about 2:15 a.m. Security cameras recorded him punching out the passenger window of a pickup truck, according to an arrest report. At 3 a.m., Glidden rode past the club as the crowd was filing out and fired randomly, authorities said.

Times staff writer Richard Danielson contributed to this report. Contact Dan Sullivan at dsullivan@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3386. Follow @TimesDan.