Suspect sought in cops' murders

TAMPA - Tampa police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are still looking for 24-year-old Dontae Rashawn Morris, now named as the main suspect in the shooting deaths of Officer Jeff Kocab and Officer Dave Curtis during a traffic stop. A warrant has been issued for Morris' arrest, and the reward for his capture has been increased to $95,000.

Late Tuesday morning, person of interest Cortnee Brantley was located in an apartment at the Bristol Bay Apartments, where the vehicle stopped by the fallen officers was also found. Brantley was taken into custody for questioning and Police Chief Jane Castor said Tuesday night that she had been released.

Chief Castor said police were able to get some information out of Brantley, but that she wasn't very cooperative. Castor also said Brantley may still face charges at a later date.

Brantley, 22, was believed to be the driver of the vehicle the officers stopped, and Morris the passenger. Police say it was the passenger who shot the officers.

Morris should be considered armed and dangerous, Castor said.

The view from SkyFox Tuesday morning showed officers swarming the Bristol Bay Apartments with patrol cars, tactical vehicles, and emergency vehicles, but cleared out of the complex once Brantley was taken into custody for questioning.

Police went door-to-door in the complex and were seen checking all vehicles leaving the parking lot during the search.

Tuesday afternoon, a tip led to an apparently fruitless search at a hotel near Nebraska and Hillsborough avenues.

The shooting happened at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday. Officer Dave Curtis stopped the vehicle because the license tag wasn't visible. The passenger apparently had a minor warrant for arrest, Chief Castor said, and a second officer, Officer Jeff Kocab, was called for backup.

The gunman spun around and shot the officers as they tried to search him, according to the chief.

The outstanding warrant on Morris was for writing a worthless check in Jacksonville, police confirmed. Once found, he will face new charges, including first-degree murder.

Police described him as a black male, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, wearing brown shorts, a white tee shirt, black vest and white shoes.

Chief Castor could not say Tuesday afternoon whether Brantley was cooperating with detectives.

As for Morris, the chief said officers have been unable to track him. She said detectives are closing in on his inner circle.

Castor suggested his consorts are likely unsavory, but would probably be enticed by the reward money to turn in their buddy, which was upped to $95,000 Tuesday night.

"We know who he is and we're going to find him," the chief pledged.

A makeshift command post set-up across the street from the scene will remain in place until Morris is caught, Castor said. She said many officers who have been ordered to go home are refusing to leave.

Anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the shooting or knows where the suspects may be is asked to call Tampa police at (813) 231-6130 or the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

The FBI and Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay are offering up to a $95,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for killing Officer Kocab and Curtis. Information can be called in to 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), reported anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com or text "CSTB" plus your tip to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).

If you would like to make monetary donation to help the families of the fallen officers, TPD asks for checks to be made payable to the Curtis/Kocab Memorial Fund and sent in care of the Tampa Police Memorial Committee, P.O. Box 172995, Tampa, FL 33672. Donations can also be made in person at any Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union location.