Man sought in the killing of 2 Tampa, Fla., police officers has arrest record

Suspect in Tampa officers’ death has arrest record

TAMPA, Fla. — The man accused of killing two Tampa police officers has a history of arrests dating back to at least 2003, records show.

Dontae Rashawn Morris, 24, has been charged with writing bad checks, possession of cocaine and attempted murder — but nothing as violent as what he is accused of now.

Tampa Police say Morris shot and killed two officers after a traffic stop early Tuesday morning.

Officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab, both 31, were slain after Curtis pulled Morris over because the car he was riding in did not have a visible license plate. Morris had outstanding warrants for writing bad checks at a grocery store in Jacksonville, officials said.

Police have launched a statewide manhunt for Morris. The driver of the car, Cortnee Nicole Brantly, fled the scene but was captured. She was later released from custody.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said Brantly may be charged later.

Detectives tried to reach Morris’ friends and acquaintances Tuesday night. A large police command center near the scene of the shooting buzzed with activity overnight.

Records show Morris served time in state prison on cocaine charges on two separate occasions; a two year sentence, which ended in April and a nine month stint from 2004 to 2005.

Prison records show Morris was released in January of 2005. In October of that year, he was arrested and charged with attempted murder — but he was acquitted of the crime.

Meanwhile, Morris’s family asked that he be allowed to turn himself in safely. A pastor for Morris’ family said they do not condone his actions.

Authorities believed Morris was still in the Tampa area.