TAMPA, Fla. – A 31-year-old man is in custody facing a second-degree murder charge following a week-long investigation into a fatal shooting that police say stemmed from a traffic dispute.
Tampa Police arrested Joel Moreno Cobo at his home on Thursday evening, November 20. He is accused of shooting and killing 41-year-old Dedrick Sykes on November 14.
According to investigators, the incident began around 7:10 p.m. at the intersection of East 5th Avenue and North 22nd Street. Police said Moreno Cobo, driving a black BMW sedan, was stopped behind an SUV and flashed his headlights to get the driver to move.
Sykes, who was driving a red Jeep Grand Cherokee directly behind the SUV, moved forward as traffic cleared and turned westbound onto East 5th Avenue. Investigators say Sykes then came to an abrupt stop.
A brief verbal argument reportedly broke out between the two drivers. Witnesses told police that Sykes exited his vehicle and was shot within seconds.
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When officers arrived at the scene, they found Sykes lying on the ground between the two vehicles. First responders attempted life-saving measures and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Moreno Cobo remained at the scene and was interviewed by detectives. Police said he was carrying a gun in a waistband holster and initially claimed he fired in self-defense.
However, following a review of witness statements and evidence, detectives determined the shooting was not justified. The investigation revealed that Sykes was unarmed and made no threats or gestures implying he had a weapon before shots were fired.
“Justice is rooted in evidence, and that has guided our entire investigation,” Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement following the arrest. “This arrest is the direct result of patience and precision, ensuring that we could bring a suspect into custody and provide fact-based answers to a grieving family.”
Moreno Cobo was booked into the Orient Road Jail without incident. A booking photo was not immediately available Thursday night.
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