The Tampa Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, has arrested 15-year-old Marquis Lee in connection with the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Armando Gilbert.
The incident occurred on February 5, 2025, as Gilbert rode his bicycle with another juvenile on N Hillsborough Ln approaching E Juneau St. At the same time, Lee was circling the intersection on his bicycle, waiting for Gilbert. As Gilbert approached, Lee rode toward him and the other juvenile, then pursued Gilbert while shooting him multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Officers arrived just after 6:00 p.m. and found Gilbert with upper body trauma. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Detectives determined that Lee and Gilbert had prior disputes leading up to the shooting.
On February 6, 2025, at approximately 6:10 p.m., Lee was taken into custody.
“No parent should ever experience the heartbreaking loss of a child, especially in such a senseless and unjust way,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “As we grieve alongside Armando’s family and offer them support during this unimaginable time, we remain committed to holding juveniles accountable when they decide to take someone else’s life. Armando’s family deserves nothing less than justice, and I’m deeply proud of the swift efforts of the men and women who worked tirelessly to make an arrest within 24 hours of this tragedy.”
Lee has been charged with one felony count of first-degree murder, one felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and one misdemeanor count of minor in possession of a firearm.