TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Silas Sampson, the 22-year-old accused of plowing through a crowd of people in Ybor City on Saturday, had his first court appearance Sunday morning.
The judge confirmed the charges against him and scheduled his pretrial detention hearing for Thursday at 9:30 a.m. The state’s attorney said she filed a motion to deny pretrial release, but Sampson’s attorney said she did not receive a copy of the motion.
Sampson was present at the hearing but did not speak, and appeared to be wearing a suicide-prevention vest.
He is facing eight felony charges related to the crash, which killed four and injured 13. Sampson was charged on Saturday with four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of fleeing police resulting in serious injury or death, but authorities say more charges are possible.
At around 12:45 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, Sampson was fleeing police at high speeds when he lost control of the Toyota Camry he was driving and crashed onto the sidewalk and into Bradley’s on 7th. Three people died at the scene of the crash, while another died at the hospital.
On Saturday afternoon, Tampa police said two people were in critical condition, while the 11 other victims began recovering from their injuries. None of the victims have been identified by authorities.
Bradley’s on 7th is a popular gay bar in Ybor City, but police confirmed that there is no evidence to suggest the victims or business were specifically targeted by Sampson. The bar released this statement after the crash.
The community is reeling from the tragedy, and a vigil organized by Pride of Tampa was held Saturday night to honor the victims.
Court records indicate that Sampson received a citation for speeding less than two months ago. A complaint from the Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts said he was recorded going 99 mph in a 70 mph zone. At this point, it is unknown if that citation will play any role in this case.
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking any witnesses present at the time of the crash to contact them at *FHP (*347).