MacDill airman killed in deadly Tampa crime spree

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

MacDill airman killed in deadly Tampa crime spree

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — One of the victims of a violent crime spree in Tampa Sunday night has been identified as a member of the U.S. Air Force.

MacDill Air Force Base said on Jan. 26, Tech Sgt. Richard Padilla, 37, was killed in a hit-and-run while walking along Interbay Boulevard.

Who is Jeremiah Bailey, the suspect in violent Tampa crime spree?

That same night, Jeremiah Bailey, 48, had been fleeing from a shooting scene while driving in circles at MacDill Avenue and Interbay Boulevard.

Tampa police said Bailey intentionally struck Padilla and another pedestrian, 43-year-old Jesse Rickett, with his car. Rickett was hospitalized in critical condition, but Padilla died at the scene.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Richard Padilla, a security forces craftsman assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, Detachment 1, also known as Deployment Cell or “D-Cell”, directs Airmen during a training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 7, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Sullivan)

“Our thoughts are with the families of all those impacted by this tragic series of events,” Chief Lee Bercaw said. “This individual, who already had a violent history, displayed a blatant disregard for human life, resulting in this devastating outcome.”

Bailey was later gunned down in a shootout with Tampa police on I-275, which also injured three officers.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Jeremiah Bailey, 48, (Credit: Tampa Police Department)

MacDill Air Force Base said Padilla served with the 24th Rapid Deployment Squadron of the 24th Special Operations Wing prior to his death.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of Richie. He embodied what it meant to be a warrior,” said Lt. Col. Michael Biederman, 24th RDS commander. “Our deepest sympathies are with Richie’s family and friends as we all mourn the loss of our teammate, mentor, and friend.”

The base has made counseling services available for those who knew Padilla. The MacDill Military Family Life Counselors can be called at 813-816-3061 or 813-210-7822.

“Team MacDill is mourning the loss of another teammate taken from us too soon,” said Col. Ed Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander. “All of our thoughts are with Tech. Sgt. Padilla’s family and friends. Support agencies, chaplains, first sergeants and leadership teams are here for all who need assistance as we navigate this time of sorrow.”

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#MacDill #airman #killed #deadly #Tampa #crime #spree

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up