TAMPA, Fla. — A week after the shooting death of a beloved local DJ, authorities have arrested a suspect connected to the incident. Joel Moreno Cobo, 31, faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of 41-year-old Dedrick Lamar Sykes, known by his stage name DJ ShyGuy. The arrest comes amid community outcry for more transparency regarding the incident.
The shooting occurred on November 14 around 7 p.m. at the intersection of East 5th Avenue and North 22nd Street. Emergency responders arrived to find Sykes lying between two vehicles—a black BMW and a red Jeep Grand Cherokee—suffering from a gunshot wound. He was quickly transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward.
Moreno Cobo reportedly remained on the scene following the altercation. According to police, a firearm was recovered from a holster at his waist during the investigation. He initially cooperated with detectives and claimed he acted in self-defense during the confrontation.
Investigators uncovered details about the events leading up to the shooting, revealing that Moreno Cobo was driving the BMW and had been stopped by a woman in an SUV at a stop sign. Sykes was behind the SUV and, when Moreno Cobo attempted to signal the SUV to move, Sykes also advanced his vehicle, turning west onto East 5th Avenue.
Witnesses reported that after the vehicles moved forward, Sykes exited his Jeep. Within moments, gunfire erupted, and Sykes fell to the ground. Authorities confirmed that he did not display any weapon or make threats during the encounter.
Moreno Cobo was taken into custody on Thursday and is now held at Orient Road Jail. His arrest comes after community members expressed frustration over the delay in identifying the shooter, urging law enforcement for answers in the wake of Sykes’s tragic death.
Chief Lee Bercaw emphasized the importance of thorough investigation in a recent statement. He highlighted that “justice is rooted in evidence,” noting that the arrest was the result of careful work aimed at providing answers to a grieving family.
As the investigation continues, community leaders and friends of DJ ShyGuy are rallying for justice, hoping the legal process will clarify the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.