Missing USF students: Barricaded person, Howard Frankland Bridge lane closure tied to investigation

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The closure of two lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge Friday morning in addition to barricaded topic who was taken into custody at a Tampa residence complicated close to the University of South Florida have been linked to the investigation into two lacking USF grad college students.

FOX 13’s Evan Axelbank stated that proof linked to the disappearance of 27-year-old Zamil Limon and 27-year-old Nahida Bristy, who have not been seen since April 16was gathered on the Howard Frankland Bridge Friday morning and brought to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office facility on twenty eighth Street North in St. Petersburg to be processed.

Evidence gathered on the Howard Frankland Bridge was taken to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office web site on twenty eighth Street North to be processed.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office additionally confirmed on Friday morning {that a} police investigation that closed the doorway and exit to the Lake Forest Community, which is simply north of USF, can be linked to the disappearance of Limon and Bristy.

FOX 13’s Aaron Mesmer stated he noticed dozens of deputies, the SWAT workforce, the bomb squad and a disaster negotiation workforce enter the complicated.

Mesmer confirmed that there was a barricaded topic contained in the complicated. He stated that the topic was taken into custody shortly earlier than midday. He added that there was not a hostage scenario and there was no one inside the house with the topic.

The entrance and exit of the Lake Forest Community was closed on Friday morning as legislation enforcement officers examine the disappearance of two USF grad college students.

Missing USF college students

The backstory:

USFPD says Limon, a USF doctoral scholar pursuing a level in geography, environmental science and coverage, was final seen round 9 am at his dwelling on Avalon Heights Blvd. on April 16.

Bristy, to USF doctoral scholar learning chemical engineering, was final seen round 10 am on April 16 on the NES Building, 121 USF Sweetgum Lane, on the USF tampa campus.

Police advised a household good friend contacted USFPD shortly earlier than 5 pm on April 17 after they have been unable to contact Limon or Bristy.

Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy haven’t been seen since April 16.

A public data officer with USFPD stated the pair, who’re each from Bangladesh, are associates and the pair are believed to be collectively.

Police stated they aren’t being held by ICE, which was a priority for relations.

On Thursday night, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office listed the pair as “endangered”, however didn’t elaborate on why.

Dig deeper:

According to investigators, each of their telephones are off.

Investigators additionally famous that this isn’t regular habits for the pair, who’re good college students.

FOX 13 requested about surveillance video, social media use, license plate readers, transportation and financial institution statements. Police say after a number of days of investigation not main to the scholars’ places, they’re now asking the general public for assist.

Search for lacking college students expands

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the lacking individuals investigations. Detectives are looking in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that its forensic unit was referred to as to help with a Hillsborough County lacking individuals case. It’s not clear if this case includes the 2 college students.

Early Thursday night, investigators confirmed there was a search on Thursday for the 2 college students at Sand Key in Clearwater.

HCSO has been passing out lacking individuals flyers at doorways of houses across the county to support within the search efforts.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office stated the company’s forensic unit was requested by the Clearwater Police Department to help with the Hillsborough County lacking individuals case, however didn’t present extra particulars.

What we do not know:

The circumstances surrounding their disappearance are unknown.

It is unclear what proof was gathered on the Howard Frankland Bridge.

It can be unknown how the barricaded topic who was taken into custody on Friday morning is tied to the lacking college students.

What you are able to do:

Anyone with data on Limon or Bristy’s whereabouts is requested to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200.