Florida Manhunt: Suspect on the Loose After 'Brutal' Murders

A manhunt is underway in Florida for an "armed and dangerous" double-homicide suspect wanted in connection with the "heinous" beating deaths of a mother and her child.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office issued a warrant Thursday for Angel Gabriel Cuz-Choc, 31, after a woman and her young child were found "brutally murdered" at a mobile home park in Dover, a small community outside Tampa.

Angel Gabriel Cuz-Choc
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office issued a warrant for suspect Angel Gabriel Cuz-Choc, 31, after a woman and her young child were found “brutally murdered” at a mobile home park. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Officers received a call Wednesday evening from a neighbor in the 3700 block of Sumner Road reporting a dead woman lying outside a mobile home.

Deputies arrived and found the woman, who appeared to be beaten to death. When police went inside the home, they found a young child who was also dead.

"This heinous crime has left a community in shock and a family devastated," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister in a press release. "We are using every available resource and checking every tip that comes in to find this murderer who violently ended the life of the mother and young child."

Cuz-Choc is considered armed and dangerous. Officers warn anyone who sees the suspect should not approach him and call 911.

He faces two charges of murder in the first degree. It was not immediately clear what the suspect's relationship was to the victims, if any.

"I'm taken aback this evening by the absolute callousness and evil that transpired when our suspect brutally murdered a woman and young child," Chronister said. "To our suspect, turn yourself in because there is no place you can hide that our deputies will not find you."

Officials believe Cuz-Choc is still in the area and are asking residents to reach out to investigators if they notice something out of the ordinary, like unlocked cars or open windows.

Investigators, K9 units, and aviation teams are all currently searching the small suburb for Cuz-Choc, who they believe fled the area on foot and is dangerous.

Dover is a small 2.6-square-mile community with about 2,800 residents. It's about 24 miles from Tampa's downtown district.

Officials ask anyone who knows the suspect or has any information on his whereabouts contact detectives at 813-247-8200.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer



To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go