5 youths were ambushed at apartment complex, Florida cops say. One dead, 2 wounded

A 16-year-old boy was killed and two other teens were wounded in an ambush at a Florida apartment community, according to deputies.

The victims were discovered around 7:40 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, in Spring Hill, when one walked into a Publix store for help. Spring Hill is about a 50-mile drive north from Tampa.

“Upon arrival, deputies located several victims around a vehicle parked near the Publix. A total of five teenage males were in a vehicle,” the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said in an Aug. 19 news release.

“Investigation revealed as the teens were entering the apartment complex, they began taking gunfire,” the sheriff’s office said. “They immediately retreated and drove to Mariner Commons where at least one of the teens entered the Publix to ask for help.”

The 16-year-old died after being taken to a hospital, officials said. Two others, ages 15 and 17, are hospitalized and expected to recover.

The victims told deputies the shots were fired at the Mariner’s Cay apartments, about a quarter of a mile northwest of the Publix.

“The investigation revealed the shooting was the result of an ongoing feud between several of the teenagers, who had recently engaged in a physical fight,” the sheriff’s office said.

Three suspects — two of them juveniles — were found in an apartment in Mariner’s Cay and arrested, officials said.

Tarian Rush, 18, is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, the sheriff’s office said.

A 17-year-old male and 15-year-old male were charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder, officials said.

This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 7:30 AM.