Silvio Izquierdo-Leyva: 1999 Tampa Radisson Mass Shooting
Overview
On December 30, 1999, hotel housekeeper Silvio Izquierdo-Leyva, a 36-year-old Cuban immigrant employed at the Radisson Bay Harbor Inn in Tampa, Florida, opened fire on co-workers and others in and around the hotel. Four hotel employees were killed during the rampage inside the property; a fifth person was shot and killed as Izquierdo-Leyva fled and attempted to carjack another vehicle. Three additional people were wounded. He was arrested shortly afterward.
The Setting and Lead-Up
The shootings occurred in the mid-afternoon�about 3:10 p.m.�while the waterfront hotel was crowded with visitors in town for the New Year�s Day Outback Bowl. Witnesses described Izquierdo-Leyva as calm and wordless as he fired. Police said he had been working in the hotel�s housekeeping department since late November.
The Attack
Gunfire erupted at the hotel�s entrance and lobby areas and extended to other parts of the property, including the pool deck and a restaurant. Investigators reported that two victims were shot outside the entrance, two in the lobby, one in a hallway, one by the pool, and one in the restaurant; four of those shot at the hotel died from their injuries.
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Account
