Tampa Police Make Arrest In Homicide Investigation News Tampa Police TAMPA, FL (June 19, 2026) - The Tampa Police Department has arrested 36-year-old Mel Mcray Jr., (DOB:[...]

TAMPA, FL (June 19, 2026) - The Tampa Police Department has arrested 36-year-old Mel Mcray Jr., (DOB: 11/08/1989), in connection with the death of an adult male.

On June 13, 2026, just before 6:20 p.m., officers responded to the 19-hundred block of West Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd for the report of an unresponsive man. When they arrived, they located a deceased man who appeared to have sustained suspicious injuries.
Detectives immediately began to review nearby surveillance videos that showed another man in the area around the same time as the victim. Through investigative efforts, they identified that individual as Mcray. On June 16, 2026, Mcray was taken into custody on unrelated charges.

During the investigation, detectives spoke with a witness who stated Mcray said he beat up another man who tried to rob him last Saturday June 13th.

When detectives later interviewed Mcray, he initially denied being involved in a fight but acknowledged he had been in the area. He later admitted to hitting the victim several times stating they had never met. Mcray also told investigators he took items from the victim's pockets.

Detectives recovered the victim's wallet and other items with Mcray's belongings.

The Medical Examiner determined the victim's death was caused from being beaten and ruled the death a homicide. Based on those findings, detectives began investigating the case as a homicide.

On June 19, 2026, Mcray was charged with Murder in the First Degree Premeditated and Robbery less than $750 in connection to this incident.

This remains an active investigation.