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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Deputies arrested a man on Thursday in connection with a 10-year-old armed robbery that left one person dead.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Del Rio Apartments in Tampa on May 3, 2016, after receiving multiple 911 calls and a ShotSpotter alert regarding gunfire.

Deputies found the victim, identified as Saadyar “Sy” Johnson, 36, with multiple gunshot wounds.

He was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.

The investigation at the time determined Johnson was the target of an armed robbery, and linked Marqui Newton, 34, to the shooting.

Deputies said there was not enough evidence at the time to make an arrest. However, HCSO’s Cold Case Unit continued to investigate the incident.

Investigators found previously unknown witnesses in 2025 and re-interviewed prior witnesses. Additional DNA testing was conducted with the assistance of the Department of Law Enforcement to gain additional evidence.

On Wednesday, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Newton charging him with first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office took Newton into custody Thursday through a collaborative investigative effort involving the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force.

He is currently in Brevard County and will be transported back to Hillsborough County.

“No matter how much time passes, we will never stop seeking justice for victims and their families,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “This arrest is the result of years of relentless investigative work and commitment of our Cold Case Unit and law enforcement partners. We hope this arrest brings some measure of closure to those who have waited nearly a decade for answers.”

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