Florida Pool Party Agenda? Tank Dell Caught Between Dueling Shooters, Sheriff Says

DEBARYLIFE – The 16-year-old Daytona Beach child who was injured in Sunday’s mass shooting in Sanford, Florida, has been identified. Among the injured was Tank Dell, a Daytona Beach native and wide receiver for the Houston Texans.

In a recent development, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma disclosed during the news conference on Monday that there was a second gunman involved in the Cabana Live massacre, and Dell was briefly trapped between them.

Due to his age and the pending nature of his charges as an adult, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida is refraining from naming the suspect.

The young man, who Lemma claimed had no prior arrest history, is being imprisoned at the Juvenile Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder, using and displaying a firearm while committing a felony, and possessing a firearm by a child.

What took place at Sanford’s Cabana Live?

Lemma said that approximately 200 people attended the Saturday, April 27 evening event at Cabama Live, which was billed as a “Nobody Leaves Sober” pool party with a $10 cover charge. The age restriction was 21.

Ten armed security personnel were on duty at the event, verifying identification and touching attendees down for weapons.

Lemma stated that although firearms were prohibited at the event, permitless concealed carry is now permitted in Florida. According to him, other individuals who arrived brandishing weapons were turned away and led away. How the second shooter, who was armed, entered the building was a mystery.

Although the facility is available for public use, they frequently lease it out for private events, which typically requires obtaining a county permit. “We know that the promoters did not receive a permit,” Lemma continued.

A brawl breaks out near the pool on the security footage that was provided to the journalists during the conference. With his gun drawn, the boy fires at the throng. While others scurry to escape, another individual can be seen returning fire.

The 16-year-old is pinned almost instantly when a security guard approaches from behind and gives him a bear hug. Lemma reported that someone else reached for his gun and fired the last live round.

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When the shots were fired at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, deputies who had been policing the area because of the big crowds were initially unable to enter because of the masses of people leaving, according to Lemma. They were assisted by the owner to enter through an alternate door.

Throughout the press conference, the sheriff mentioned several times how “heroic” the security guard’s efforts were and how much worse things could have been.

“We’re fortunate no one is dead or more people injured,” stated Lemma. “He literally tackled this guy from behind, got his weapon, and delivered him to us in handcuffs.”

Was someone shot at Cabana Live and hurt or killed?

Lemma stated that nine out of the ten individuals with non-life-threatening injuries have been treated and are no longer hospitalized. The last patient in the hospital is anticipated to leave shortly.

Did Tank Dell get shot?

Lemma identified Dell, a rising NFL player from Mainland High School, and confirmed he was hurt at the party.

“You can see the position that he’s in, he’s right in the middle of this firearm altercation,” Lemma continued.

Lemma said that although he had been invited, the event was not for Dell and that he was not mentioned in the event marketing. Most Volusia County residents attended the gathering, and Dell “happened to be standing between two people in a gun battle.”

“When shots are fired, you can see multiple flashes,” Lemma stated. “He gets out of the way pretty quickly.”

The Houston Texans announced on social media on Sunday that Dell had been “released from the hospital and is in good spirits.”

The 16-year-old got the gun, but how?

A Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun that the 16-year-old boy was carrying was lawfully acquired in Miami in 2018, according to Lemma.

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Lemma stated, “We are aware that the gun is not registered as stolen, but we are unsure of its whereabouts over the previous six years.” He added investigators would look into how the boy got it.

Who was the second gunman in the horrific shooting at Sanford?

After the youngster started firing, Lemma pointed out a muzzle flare in the video from another location near the pool. Lemma stated, “which could be a self-defense situation from somebody who had a legal right to possess a firearm and finds themselves in harm’s way.”

“That person’s identity is still unknown to us,” Lemma remarked. The number of round casings showed that the second shooter shot five times, albeit one appeared to have been an unintentional discharge as the gunman took the pistol out of his pocket.

Although Lemma stated that there was no threat to the public, deputies were still looking for the second shooter.

Lemma stated, “This is not a situation where we believe there is a dangerous person out there in the community.”

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 665-6650 and Crimeline at **TIPS are asking anyone with information about the second shooter to get in touch.

And More

Where in Sanford is Cabana Live?

Situated on a small inlet of the St. Johns River close to the Lake Monroe Bridge, Cabana Live is a restaurant/bar and entertainment center including live sports coverage, music, dining, and a swimming pool. Its address is 4380 Carraway Place. Along Interstate 4, it’s roughly 20 miles north of Orlando.

Lemma stated that Seminole County, the property’s owner, leases it to the Seminole County Port Authority. The site is located in unincorporated Sanford.

How far away is Cabana Live?

An NFL player and nine other people may have been shot at the Florida location.

Tank Dell is who?

Daytona Beach is the birthplace of Nathaniel Jasper “Tank” Dell Jr. Before joining the varsity squad as a junior, he played JV for two years at Mainland High School. He then attended Alabama A&M for one semester before transferring to Independence Community College in Kansas and eventually to the University of Houston in 2020. He was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the best wide receiver in college football.

Dell topped the country in receiving yards (1,398 with 17 touchdowns) and finished second in receptions (109) before being selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2023 selection. Before the draft, he broad-jumped 10 feet, 1 inch, and ran a 40-yard time of 4.49 seconds at the NFL scouting combine, with a 1.49 10-yard split.

In Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals, Dell caught eight catches for a career-high 149 yards and one score; however, the next week, against the Denver Broncos, a fractured fibula terminated his season.

What qualifies as a mass shooting?

According to the GVA and the Congressional Research Service, a mass shooting occurs when four or more persons are shot, not including the gunman.

“Mass shooting” is not defined in any way by the FBI. The term “mass killing” or “mass murder” is defined by the agency as an occurrence where four or more victims are killed intentionally, including through the use of firearms.

According to USA TODAY, even in the absence of fatalities, a mass shooting occurs when at least four individuals are shot. An incidence where at least four individuals are killed is referred to as a mass killing.