Florida Highway Patrol troopers intercepted and pursued the car. The officers attempted to use a technique called precision immobilization (PIT), which involved striking the rear of the vehicle fleeing in order to cause a spinning out and safely stop it. The maneuver was unsuccessful and the sedan continued to accelerate towards downtown Tampa.
The highway patrol stopped the pursuit when they realized the dangers in this densely-populated area. Despite the high speed, the driver continued to weave through the streets, heading towards Ybor City. This neighborhood is known for its rich cigar history and eclectic bars and attracts both tourists and residents.
The driver of the sedan lost control as it approached Bradley’s 7th on East 7th Avenue. This was a busy establishment. The car veered from the road, striking more than 12 pedestrians outside of the bar.
The scene was chaotic, and the victims were scattered over a large area. Emergency personnel arrived quickly. Three of the victims died at the scene, and a fourth victim succumbed from injuries in a hospital nearby. On Saturday, 11 people had been injured. Two of them were in critical condition. Seven other individuals were in stable condition, and four more suffered minor injuries.
Tampa Fire Rescue, local hospitals and medical teams worked together to coordinate the response.
The driver was identified as Silas Sampson, a 22-year old man from Tampa. The driver was arrested shortly after the accident and booked in to Hillsborough County Jail on Saturday morning.
Sampson is charged with four counts each of vehicular murder and aggravated fleeing, evading, or running away from a police officer causing serious injury or death. These are all first-degree felonies under Florida’s law. Sampson was not represented by an attorney at that time and had yet to enter a guilty plea.
After a driver ploughed into a popular gay bar last night, 4 people were killed and 11 injured (1 critically).
The incident started around 12.45 am when @TampaPD spotted 22-year old Silas Sampson driving recklessly and street racing in the vicinity.
Florida Highway Patrol initiated a… pic.twitter.com/Hp7vGOOEXv
Jarrod Rodrigue (@JarrodRodrigue1) 8 November 2025
Tampa Police Department is assisting the Florida Highway Patrol in the investigation to identify additional factors, such as driver impairment and criminal past.
The Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said, “What happened today morning was an senseless tragedy. Our hearts go out to the families of those affected and the people who are still grieving.”
Sampson had been cited before for speeding when he went 99 miles per hour in a 70 mile-per-hour area just two months earlier.
Anthony Harris was a friend of Sampson and called for his release after his arrest. “Lord knows, he did not mean to hurt anyone,” Harris said.
Harris said in an update: “Wrong or right, I’m with my Lil Brother 10 toes Down about whatever. Im sorry that you lost, but the police had no business inputting others in danger. They should have ended the pursuit.”
Anthony Harris, a street criminal who has killed four pedestrians in the past and injured over a dozen more. pic.twitter.com/CQf3XbbeaF
National Conservative (@NatCon2022) 8 November 2025
