Tampa police say they are turning up the heat in the hunt for 17-year-old Brandon Earle Brown Jr., the teen they believe is responsible for the killing of 16-year-old Miracle Cromwell inside a North Tampa home on Jan. 22.
According to a press release from the City of Tampa, officers renewed their search yesterday, after investigators concluded Cromwell was fatally wounded by a single gunshot while friends were on a FaceTime call. Detectives say Brown bolted from the house just as officers arrived, and Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information that leads to his arrest.
Detectives have secured an active warrant for Brown on charges that include manslaughter and believe he is intentionally staying one step ahead of law enforcement. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said, “Miracle was a young woman with her entire life ahead of her and her family deserves more than just answers, they deserve the closure that comes with justice,” adding that detectives “will not rest until the individual responsible is held accountable.” The City of Tampa release lists Brown’s date of birth as April 18, 2008, and describes him as a Black male about 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds.
Officers were called out around 2:07 a.m. to the 8200 block of North 12th Street, where they found Cromwell in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to her upper body, according to Tampa Bay 28. That outlet reports investigators say Brown had been handling a tan-colored handgun during a FaceTime call with acquaintances when a single round went off.
Investigators recovered weapon along suspect's flight path
Police say they later recovered a firearm, a magazine and live ammunition along the route they believe Brown took as he ran from the scene. Detectives say those findings back up their belief that he is actively avoiding capture. Investigators also believe Brown spends time in the Sulphur Springs neighborhood and urged anyone who sees him or knows where he might be to call 813-231-6130 and reference report #26-41792, according to the City of Tampa.
Family remembers Miracle
Cromwell’s family has gathered outside the North Tampa home for memorials, leaning on each other while pleading publicly for answers. Relatives told Tampa Bay 28 that Miracle was “deeply loved,” describing her as outgoing and athletic. They have urged anyone with information to speak up so detectives can move the case forward and bring the family some measure of closure.
How to tip investigators
Anyone with information about Brown’s whereabouts is asked to call Tampa Police at 813-231-6130. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-TIPS or through the Florida Crime Stoppers mobile app. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to Brown’s arrest, according to AOL.
