TAMPA, Fla. – A reported altercation that escalated to an armed threat following a city council candidate forum last week has led to the arrest of a Tampa man.
Elvis Pigott, 37, surrendered to authorities on Tuesday after Tampa Police detectives secured a warrant for his arrest on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Improper Exhibition of a Firearm.
The incident occurred just before 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 2005 N. Lamar Ave, as a local city council candidate forum was wrapping up. Tampa Police initially responded to reports of an armed man involved in an altercation.
Upon their arrival, officers detained and questioned Pigott. However, the reported victim had left the scene before police arrived. Since detectives were still gathering evidence and witness statements, Pigott was released at the time. No injuries were reported in the incident.
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Following a thorough investigation, which included gathering additional evidence and witness testimony, detectives consulted with the State Attorney’s Office. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued for Pigott, who turned himself in at the Orient Road Jail shortly after noon on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
“Our community should know that while not every arrest is immediate, every investigation is thorough,” said Tampa Police Chief Bercaw. “The detectives assigned to this case have worked with focused determination to gather all the required information needed, as they do with every investigation.”
The victim reported to police that the altercation escalated to the point where Pigott allegedly pointed a gun at him, putting him in fear for his life, which forms the basis for the aggravated assault charge.
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