Florida man wanted after driving car into bouncer following nightclub ejection

A Florida man is currently at large after allegedly driving his vehicle into a security guard who had ejected him from a Tampa nightclub following a dispute, an act that left the guard with fatal injuries.

Jose Zamora Valdes, 32, is the subject of an active manhunt by the Tampa Police Department. He faces charges of murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday at the Vale after-hours club in northern Tampa.

According to police reports, Valdes was involved in a physical altercation with a woman he knew inside the venue. At approximately 4:30 a.m., a bouncer intervened and ordered him off the premises. As the guard escorted the belligerent partygoer toward the exit, Valdes pushed the woman he had been fighting, causing her to stumble and collide with another individual.

Following a brief verbal exchange, the group exited the building and reached the parking lot. While the bouncer proceeded to his own vehicle alongside a friend, Valdes entered his car. Witnesses and police indicate that Valdes then executed a sharp, intentional turn, driving his vehicle directly into the security guard.

The guard sustained critical injuries and was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds hours later. His companion, who was walking with the guard at the time, suffered only minor injuries and survived. Police have not released the names of the victims, describing the deceased security guard as a Hispanic male in his mid-30s and his friend as a Hispanic male in his early 40s.

Valdes fled the scene immediately after the attack and subsequently abandoned his vehicle, which authorities later recovered and impounded. The investigation was initially pursued as a hit-and-run case but was reclassified as a homicide on Tuesday.

The Tampa Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit is collaborating with the US Marshals Task Force to locate and arrest Valdes. Police Chief Lee Bercaw issued a statement expressing deep sorrow for the security guard's family and colleagues.

"Our hearts go out to the family and colleagues of the security guard who lost his life while simply doing his job to keep others safe," Chief Bercaw stated. "Using a vehicle as a weapon and driving into unsuspecting victims is a cowardly act, and it has no place in our community."

Chief Bercaw further emphasized that officers, detectives, and federal partners are working tirelessly to ensure this dangerous individual is removed from society and held accountable. If convicted, Valdes faces a potential sentence ranging from 15 years to life in prison, with the possibility of the death penalty depending on the specific classification of the murder charge. He also faces up to 15 years in prison for the aggravated battery charge.

The Tampa Police Department is urgently requesting public assistance in locating Valdes. Individuals with information regarding his whereabouts are asked to contact police at 813 231 6130, citing report number 26-336350. Anonymous tips may be submitted at 800.873.TIPS.