Tampa police said 67-year-old Lionel Spooner, who had been reported missing while riding a blue-and-teal bicycle, has been located. He was last seen near the 2600 block of E. 27th Avenue wearing pajama bottoms and one slipper.
The Tampa Police Department confirmed Spooner had been located in a brief Wednesday update, writing, “UPDATE: Lionel has been located” and “Thank you to all who assisted,” in a post from the Tampa Police Department
Police had said Spooner was reported to have cognitive decline, a detail that raised concern during the search.
How Florida’s Silver Alert Works
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says the Silver Alert system is used to locate people with an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties. That general description does not establish whether an alert was considered or used in Spooner’s case, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. For a State Silver Alert, FDLE lists travel by motor vehicle with an identified license plate number or other vehicle information as a criterion. The guidance cited here does not provide a complete account of what information is shared publicly or indicate that this criterion applied to Spooner.
Before he was found, police described Spooner’s appearance in detail as they asked the public for tips. He was said to be wearing a gray T-shirt, a dark zip-up hoodie, black-and-gray checkered pajamas, black socks and just one gray slipper, along with riding a blue/teal bicycle.
How the Search Unfolded
Before Spooner was found, police asked anyone with information to call the department’s non-emergency line at 813-231-6130.
The department asked the public for help locating Spooner and later thanked those who assisted.
Resolution Brings Relief
Police have not released details about where or how Spooner was found. The department’s brief update confirmed the search had ended but provided no further account of the circumstances.
