Police officers' suspected killer still running; person of interest released

TAMPA - Law enforcement is in its second day of searching for Dontae Morris, the main suspect in the killing of two Tampa police officers.

The search has extended to the state of Florida and nationwide, Police Chief Jane Castor said Wednesday morning. Officers have talked to Morris' family, friends, associates, and people at the places he frequents.

"It is in the best interest of Dontae Morris to give himself up," Castor said, "to call the police department and put an end to this."

Castor expressed surprise that Morris had not yet been caught, but said police are tightening the loop around him.

Cortnee Brantley, a person of interest who was taken into custody for questioning late Tuesday morning, was released that night after seven hours of questioning, Castor said.

"We were able to get some information from her," Castor said late Tuesday. "I don't know that I would define her as cooperative."

Tampa police spokesperson Laura McElroy added Wednesday that Brantley was "part of the equation" but not the person who shot and killed Officers Jeffrey Kocab and David Curtis .

Both Castor and McElroy emphasized that the investigation is completely focused on finding Morris and taking him into custody, though charges are still pending on Brantley.

The car Brantley was driving was stopped by Officer Curtis around 2:15 a.m. Tuesday because the vehicle didn't have a visible license plate. Officer Kocab responded to a call for backup. Morris is believed to have been the passenger in Brantley's car who, when the officers went to arrest him on an outstanding warrant, pulled the trigger.

Detectives have issued a warrant for Morris' arrest on two counts of first degree murder and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Tampa police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office have been searching nonstop for Morris, 24, in and around the area of the shooting at 50th Street and 34th Avenue as well as where ever they have gotten tips as to where Morris might be or have been.

Castor said Tuesday night that based on information police have received, they believe Morris is still in the Tampa area.

Dozens of officers huddled at the 50th Street command post Wednesday morning and fanned out around the city in small teams.

In many cases, FBI agents were seen accompanying local officers. In all cases, law enforcement was heavily armed, often on foot patrol with guns drawn.

Agents and officers were seen canvassing the Robles Park neighborhood around noon. They carried photos of Morris and questioned essentially everyone they encountered.

Morris' mug shot was easily visible in at least one patrol car, affixed to the dashboard.

The Florida Highway Patrol, Lakeland Police Department, and numerous other agencies have joined in the hunt.

At a Wednesday morning news conference, Castor again described the events leading up to Tuesday's shooting. She said that Brantley and Morris were cooperative, even handing over their identification when asked, and there was nothing the officers could have done to change the outcome.

"Officer Curtis and Officer Kocab followed every officer safety protocol," Castor said. "They did exactly what they've been trained to do."

Digital billboards flashing Morris' picture have been activated around the state, six of them in Tampa and two each in Orlando and South Florida, according to Tampa police. The billboards were donated by CBS Outdoor.

Morris' family, speaking through their pastor Tuesday night, asked him to turn himself in to authorities. They said they did not condone his actions and offered sympathy to the families of the fallen officers.

Morris has a long rap sheet, which includes a charge of attempted murder for which he was acquitted. Prison records show Morris served two separate sentences in state prison for cocaine possession, one for nine months between 2004 and 2005 and one for two years, from which he was released in April.

The outstanding warrant for which Officers Curtis and Kocab were attempting to arrest Morris on was from Jacksonville for a bad check, and it was issued when Morris was still in prison, Castor said.

Police consider Morris to be armed and dangerous.

A reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for killing Officers Kocab and Curtis has grown, now standing at $100,000 with contributions from Crime Stoppers, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Office among other law enforcement agencies.

Information on this case can be called in to 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), reported anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com or by texting "CSTB" plus your tip to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637) .