Wayne T. Lanier, a 21-year-old African-American man, was a beloved son, brother, and grandson whose life was cut short by gunfire in Tampa, Florida. Remembered by his family, Wayne’s parents were Tawanda Lanier and Walter Smith III. He was part of a large family and had several siblings: his brothers Wayne, Lasard, Lanard, LaDiesha, and Rashard Lanier, as well as Rashard Scott. His grandparents were Martha Seymore, Eva Lanier-Cochran, Sammy Lanier, and Walter Smith. At the time of his death, his girlfriend was Renesha Gilbert.
The final hours of Wayne’s life unfolded in the early morning of Saturday, May 11, 2013. He was at the Hollywood Nites strip club, located at 3005 N. Howard Avenue in Tampa. At approximately 2:10 a.m., a fight broke out inside the club. Security personnel responded by forcing all patrons to leave the establishment and move into the parking lot.
It was in the chaos that followed outside that the situation turned deadly.
Minutes after the club was emptied, shots were fired in the parking lot. Two men were hit by the gunfire. Wayne, who lived on East Henderson Avenue in Tampa, was critically injured. He was rushed to Tampa General Hospital, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The second victim, 26-year-old Omar R. Bacon of nearby Brandon, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. He was treated for his injuries and later released.
The Tampa Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation into the shooting. In the days following the incident, detectives made a public appeal for information. They released surveillance video that captured footage of people who were near Wayne at the time of the shooting. Police stated that these individuals were not considered suspects but were crucial potential witnesses who might have seen the shooter or known what led to the violence. "They were close to the victim at the time of the murder and we need them to help us with this case,” police said in a media release, urging anyone who recognized the people in the video to come forward.
Family and friends mourned Wayne's sudden and violent death. His funeral services were handled by Ray Williams Funeral Home, located on North Howard Avenue, not far from where the shooting occurred. The family received friends and held a viewing for Wayne on Friday, May 17, 2013.
Despite the police investigation and public pleas for help, no arrests have ever been announced in connection with the murder of Wayne T. Lanier. More than a decade has passed, and his case has grown cold. As of May 2024, his homicide remains unsolved, one of many open cases on the Tampa Police Department's files. The authorities continue to seek any information that could lead to a breakthrough and provide long-awaited answers and justice for Wayne's loved ones.
