Four people are dead and more than a dozen others are injured after a driver fleeing police sped onto a sidewalk and crashed into the entrance of Bradley’s on 7th, a well-known LGBTQ+ nightclub in Tampa’s Ybor City early Saturday morning.
Authorities identified the driver as Silas Kenneth Sampson, 22, who now faces multiple charges, including aggravated fleeing to elude police and vehicular homicide, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Investigators said Sampson was one of two drivers spotted racing through Tampa just before 1 a.m. When officers attempted to stop him, he accelerated instead, leading police on a brief but deadly chase through downtown streets.
Moments later, Sampson’s vehicle plowed into a group of pedestrians on the sidewalk outside Bradley’s on 7th, a longtime staple of Tampa’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. Police said three people died at the scene, while a fourth victim died later at a nearby hospital. All those killed were adults. More than ten others were treated for injuries ranging from minor to critical.
“They were out in Ybor, having a good time, expecting to go home safely,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said at a press conference Saturday. “A careless, reckless driver took everybody’s lives into his hands.”
While police said there is no evidence the crash was a targeted attack, the tragedy has rattled Tampa’s LGBTQ+ community. Bradley’s on 7th, located in the heart of Ybor’s nightlife district, is known for its inclusive environment, drag performances, and vibrant weekend crowds.
Club owner Bradley Nelson called the event “horrific” in a public statement on Saturday.
“This event has been very traumatic for my entire staff and myself,” Nelson said. “Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of those who were killed and to all the injured. Bradley’s on 7th is a very tight-knit family of employees and customers. We ask everyone to remember those killed and injured in your prayers, as we do the same.”
Nelson also praised his staff for their bravery amid the chaos. “The courage and dedication they exhibited that night and today is nothing but exemplary,” he added.
Later that evening, more than 100 people gathered outside the club for a candlelight vigil organized by Pride of Tampa. Mourners lit candles, laid flowers, and embraced one another as local leaders called for unity and accountability.
Police continue to investigate the crash and the pursuit that led to it. A retired officer and police pursuit expert told the Times that the tactics used to slow the fleeing driver could face scrutiny as authorities review body camera footage and incident reports.
For now, Bradley’s on 7th remains closed as staff and community members grieve the lives lost, and call for answers.
