By Shawn Henry 
Tampa police have arrested 31-year-old Joel Moreno Cobo, charging him with second-degree murder in the November 14 shooting that claimed the life of Dedrick Lamar Sykes, a well-known figure in the city’s nightlife scene who performed as DJ Shy Guy.
The arrest came after a week of public scrutiny, as community groups questioned why the shooter had remained unnamed and why the incident was initially described as a possible self-defense case. Detectives now say their investigation found that Sykes was unarmed and did not make any threats during the encounter. Officers took Cobo into custody Thursday evening at his home.
Investigators say the shooting unfolded after a traffic dispute near East 5th Avenue and North 22nd Street in Ybor City. Witness statements indicated the two drivers exchanged words before shots were fired within seconds. Sykes was taken to a hospital and later died from his injuries. Police reported recovering a gun from Cobo’s waistband at the scene.
Public frustration grew in the days after the shooting. Friends, clergy, and local advocates gathered outside the Tampa Police Department demanding transparency, questioning both the lack of an arrest and the delay in identifying the shooter. Many pointed to broader concerns over how self-defense claims and “stand your ground” laws have been viewed and applied in Florida.
Community leaders said the slow pace of the investigation reinforced those long-standing concerns. Police officials responded by emphasizing that the timing of the arrest was driven by the need to collect evidence that would support a charge.
Cobo is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail and is expected to make his first court appearance Friday afternoon. Funeral services for Sykes are scheduled today in Plant City, where friends and fans are gathering to celebrate his life and music.
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