Hillsborough County detectives put out a fresh call for help on Wednesday, adding 18-year-old Marcus Cooley to their weekly "Warrant Wednesday" lineup and saying he is wanted on a slate of gun-related charges that includes attempted felony murder. According to the sheriff's bulletin, Cooley is accused of firing into a vehicle and now faces counts that also include aggravated battery with a firearm and discharging a firearm in public. Detectives are asking anyone who knows where he is to speak up.
In a Facebook post, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shared Cooley's photo and listed charges that include attempted felony murder, aggravated battery involving great bodily harm with a firearm, shooting at or into a vehicle, discharge of a firearm in public or on residential property, and robbery with a firearm. The post notes Cooley is 18 and urges anyone with information to contact investigators, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (Facebook).
How To Report Tips
The sheriff's office says anyone with information should call the HCSO non-emergency line at 813-247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477. Deputies also remind residents not to approach a suspected person and to call 911 if they see someone who is wanted. The contact numbers and tip guidance are listed on the agency's official site, which also hosts press releases and online tip portals for detectives, according to teamHCSO.
Legal Note
Attempted felony murder is codified under Florida law at F.S. §782.051 and is a first-degree felony that can carry severe prison terms if proven in court. The counts listed by the sheriff are allegations and anyone named is presumed innocent until convicted; see the statute text at Fla. Stat. §782.051.
Why The Warrant Wednesday Post Matters
The sheriff's office regularly uses Warrant Wednesday posts on social media to crowdsource leads and keep public attention on active investigations, and local coverage has noted the tactic helps detectives move tips quickly. Local reporting on prior Warrant Wednesday bulletins underscores the role of official channels and cautions residents to submit tips through verified contacts.
If you recognize Cooley or know where he might be, do not attempt to contact him. Instead, call the sheriff's office or Crime Stoppers and let deputies handle the investigation. Tips can be submitted anonymously through official channels, and deputies say immediate threats should be reported to 911.
