Silas Sampson street racer fleeing cops plows into gay bar killing 4 & injuring eleven at Bradley’s in Tampa’s Ybor City, Florida.
At least four people were killed along with a dozen injured when a street racer fleeing cops lost control of his car and crashed into a Florida gay bar Friday.
Silas Sampson, 22, of Dade City, was driving recklessly and apparently lost control of his vehicle and smashed into Bradley’s, a gay bar on 7th Avenue, police said.
22-Year-Old Silas Sampson Arrested After Ybor City Police Chase Ends in Deadly Crash Killing 4 and Injuring 11 in Tampa. On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Tampa, Florida, was shaken by a catastrophic event that unfolded in the early hours in Ybor City.. https://t.co/NA7JVwgum4 pic.twitter.com/itqHMC5IwT
— News Now (@nikkyfashion_) November 8, 2025
Reckless driver fleeing cops kills 4 and injures 11 after crashing into Tampa gay bar
The fleeing driver plowed into a crowded patio, hitting a dozen people who were on the patio, according to Tampa Police.
Three people were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.
At least one person remains in critical condition.
‘What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted,’ Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said at a press conference, adding, ‘Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger.’
All the victims were over the age of 20, Lee said. Their identities had yet to be released.
Police say they first noticed Sampson’s reckless driving around 12:30 a.m. as he headed toward I-275 South. A Tampa Police Department air unit spotted his car on Hillsborough Avenue near 22nd Street, where he appeared to be racing another vehicle before continuing alone onto the interstate.
Sampson later got off the interstate and sped into downtown Tampa. Officers tried to stop him using a PIT maneuver — a tactic where police nudge a vehicle to make it spin out and stop — but he managed to get away and kept driving toward 7th Avenue, where he eventually crashed into Bradley’s bar.
Reckless driver charged with vehicular homicide faces more felony charges
Sampson following his arrest was charged with vehicular homicide, with police saying more felony charges are likely.
Stated Esme Russell, one of Bradley bar’s co-hosts, ‘This tragedy has struck at the heart of Tampa’s LGBTQ+ community.
‘Bradley’s on 7th is more than just a nightclub, it is a sanctuary, a space of celebration, love, and chosen family for countless people across Tampa Bay.
‘Today, we mourn with our friends at Bradley’s, the victims’ families, and everyone affected by this senseless act.’
The crash happened in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood, an area known for its lively gay community and nightlife. Many LGBTQ+ businesses are located along 7th Avenue, which has even earned the nickname ‘GaYbor.’
Ybor City originally began as a neighborhood for Latin immigrants, but over time it grew into a welcoming and vibrant hub for the LGBTQ+ community, according to Out Coast.
Bradley’s, the bar struck in the crash, is one of the most popular and well-loved spots in the area.
