Warrant issued for man in fatal birthday party shooting

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Tampa police are searching for a man who they say shot and killed a 14-year-old boy during a fight at a birthday party.

Authorities say an arrest warrant was issued Thursday for 22-year-old Joseph Huggins in connection with the March 21 death of Richard Newton. Huggins faces a second-degree murder charge.

Authorities say Huggins and the boy were attending an outdoor birthday party in Tampa when a fight broke out and three people were shot, including Newton.

According to jail records, Huggins was arrested on weapons charges March 31, but was released the following day on $9,500 bail. The circumstances of that arrest weren’t immediately clear. The case is still pending in court.

Anyone with information about Huggins’ whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 873-TIPS (8477).