Suspect in Fatal St. Pete Shooting Surrenders to Police

The main suspect in a fatal shooting turned himself in to officers of the St. Petersburg Police Department last week.

Chaz Ezekiel Bynum, of St. Petersburg, was wanted in the slaying of Emmanuel Isaiah Sims. The alleged incident took place at approximately half past six on the evening of January 23rd at a meat market located at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. South and 24th Avenue South.

According to police, Sims was in a vehicle with two others in the parking lot of the market when they met with Bynum. They allege that Bynum fired at the vehicle, striking and mortally wounding Sims. Emergency medical personnel responded to the situation and rendered aid, but to no avail. Sims was pronounced dead just before seven o’clock.

Sims, who was aged nineteen years at the time of his death, was arrested on the ninth on charges of grand theft auto, resisting arrest without violence, and driving with an improper license. He was out on bond at the time of the incident. Sims was survived by his parents, two brothers, and four sisters. He was laid to rest on Saturday.

Bynum, who turned eighteen less than a month ago, was booked into the Pinellas County jail at a quarter to ten in the evening of January 24th. He is being held without bond, charged with grand theft, trespass in a structure or conveyance, and capital murder.

The Law Offices of Bjorn Brunvand have been representing people charged with capital murder, felony drug charges, drunk driving, government fraud, and white-collar crimes for over a quarter century. Contact our office today to discuss your Tampa Bay-area state or federal charges.