Hillsborough District Attorney Suzy Lopez is expanding and restructuring the Firearm Violence Unit to better prosecute firearms crimes and the most violent offenders.

The agency has increased the number of attorneys assigned to this highly specialized team in Central Florida that handles exclusively gun violence cases.

This expansion allows local prosecutors to work more closely with law enforcement to address serial trigger pullers who plague the community. According to the state’s attorney, this restructuring will result in the Gun Violence Unit (GVU) having a total of five attorneys, including a chief, deputy chief and three lead trial attorneys who will handle gun crimes exclusively.

“As prosecutors, our greatest responsibility is to victims of crime and to protect public safety,” said State’s Attorney Suzy Lopez. “We must use every tool at our disposal to combat gun violence in our community. By expanding the Gun Violence Unit, my office will devote significant resources to prosecuting these brutal crimes that tear families apart and terrorize our neighborhoods. Working with law enforcement from the crime scene to the courtroom, assigning dedicated, highly trained prosecutors, and standing with victims gives us the best chance to hold criminals accountable.”

Hillsborough Gun Violence Unit prosecutors respond to non-fatal firearm incidents, and law enforcement responds to non-fatal moments after the trigger is pulled to better understand the case at the earliest possible stage. GVU prosecutors provide guidance and support to law enforcement partners on the scene while learning about the investigation and developing relationships with the investigative team. They may utilize subpoenas and search warrants to assist law enforcement.

Closer cooperation with law enforcement agencies allows prosecutors to monitor violent offenders who become repeat victims of violence in the community.

The State Attorney’s Office created the Gun Violence Unit nearly 15 years ago in partnership with Project Safe Neighborhoods. At that time, the unit had one attorney assigned to it. Today, in addition to the five attorneys who are dedicated to GVU, one investigator and three paralegals assist in this critical work.

The Office of the State’s Attorney for the 13th Judicial District covers all of Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. The office is staffed by approximately 320 dedicated public servants, including 130 prosecutors, as well as investigators, victim advocates, and support staff. The office handles approximately 50,000 cases per year.