TAMPA: Driver In High Speed Police Chase, Attempts Escape Into Entertainment Zone and Crashes Into LGBT Bar, Killing 4
(November 8, 2025) - In the early morning hours of November 8th, a 22yr old driver engaged in a high-speed chase with Tampa, Florida police, careened into a Ybor City LGBTQ bar and nightclub, killing 4 and injuring at least 13. TPD reports Silas Sampson of Dade City was racing with another vehicle around 12:40AM through Tampa, FL streets, heading towards the interstate that runs north to south through the city. One of the vehicles got on the interstate and was pursued by Florida Highway Patrol who attempted an unsuccessful stop and PIT maneuver. (A Precision Immobilization Technique, PIT, maneuver is a law enforcement tactic to stop a fleeing vehicle by using the patrol car to deliberately and intentionally tap the rear quarter panel of the suspect's vehicle. This contact causes the suspect's car to lose traction, spin out, and stop, bringing the pursuit to a halt. The maneuver requires extensive training and is considered risky due to the potential for severe injury or death). The suspect then headed towards Ybor City, and turned onto 7th Avenue, a highly populated entertainment district lined with countless bars and restaurants. TPA reported stopping chase with the vehicle at that time.
The car crashed into Bradley’s on 7th, a long-standing LGBTQ bar that had been a staple in the community, open for nearly 15yrs, hitting a crowd of party-goers in front of the bar. Three victims died at the scene, another was pronounced dead at the hospital and 10+ were injured. Two of the victims remain in critical condition.
Sampson was charged with four felony counts of vehicular homicide and four felony counts of aggravated fleeing with serious bodily injury.
After the horrific attack on Pulse Nightclub in nearby Orlando 9yrs ago, and the heightened tension of homophobia and transmisia in the state of Florida, the community is already living in deep fear. Tampa police report that this was not a hate motivated incident. It was a deeply unfortunate accident caused by the recklessness of a driver that tragically cost several community members their lives and traumatized countless witnesses at the scene. The Tampa LGBTQIA++ community already fighting vicious legislative attacks and federal disenfranchisement now has yet another trauma to heal from.
Tampa Mayor, Jane Castro, is reported to have reached out to the victim’s family members that she has received contact information for, while out of the country, and the city will be offering free crisis counseling for impacted individuals. Tampa Police Department will be conducting a review to ensure appropriate procedure was followed in the chase prior to the crash. A vigil is scheduled in Ybor City at 7PM.