TAMPA, Fla. — The mother of an armed robbery victim, who is deaf, is asking for the public’s help in identifying her son’s attacker.
On Wednesday, Tampa police detectives released a composite sketch of the unknown suspect.
The suspect was described as a 20-30-year-old man, approximately 6', 150 pounds, with short hair and multiple tattoos on his arms. He was wearing diamond earrings in each ear and was armed with a black handgun.
According to police, the attack happened just before 6 a.m. on Oct. 13 in the 8300 block of North 40th Street.
The victim, who is deaf and non-verbal, was waiting at the HART bus stop for a ride home.
Police say the unknown suspect used a black handgun to beat the victim, striking him several times and robbed him.
“He fears for his safety now after this attack,” the victim’s mother told ABC Action News. “So, it’s not only physical, it’s mental as well.”
His mother says the 26-year-old has recovered from his injuries but has a scar over the left side of his forehead.
“Anger, frustration, sadness. It’s just very difficult as a mom to deal with something like this," the victim's mother said.
A composite sketch was released this week based on the victim’s recollection of events.
“It’s very important to get this guy off the street so he doesn’t do this again,” said Det. Rose Angelakopoulos.
Tampa police detectives are now asking for the community’s help for information that could lead to an arrest.
Anyone with helpful information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay. You can call anonymously at 1-800-873-TIPS.
