A Florida man is on the run after allegedly ramming his car into a bouncer who kicked him out of a nightclub, causing the man to later die from his injuries.
Jose Zamora Valdes, 32, is wanted by the Tampa Police Department for murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
In the early hours of Sunday, Valdes was partying at the Vale after-hours nightclub in northern Tampa before he got into a fight with a woman he knew, according to police.
Around 4.30am, a bouncer kicked him out of the club due to the altercation. As the bouncer escorted Valdes off the premises, the belligerent partier pushed the woman he had been fighting with, causing her to stumble into another person, police said.
There was a 'brief verbal dispute' before Valdes was successfully escorted outside. Once the group made it to the parking lot, Valdes got into his car while the bouncer walked to his own vehicle with a friend.
As they were walking, Valdes made 'a sharp, intentional turn to strike the security guard,' according to police.
The guard suffered critical injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where he died hours later. His friend also suffered minor injuries but survived.
Police did not identify either victim of the attack, instead describing the bouncer as a Hispanic male in his mid-30s, and his friend as a Hispanic male in his early 40s.
Jose Zamora Valdes, 32, is wanted by the Tampa Police Department on charges of murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon
Valdes is accused of ramming his car into a bouncer who kicked him out of a nightclub early Sunday morning, causing the bouncer to die hours later from his injuries
Valdes immediately fled and later ditched his vehicle, which police recovered and impounded.
The alleged killer was initially sought on a hit-and-run charge, but police reclassified the investigation into a homicide case on Tuesday.
The Tampa Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit is working in coordination with the US Marshals Task force to locate and arrest Valdes.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw released a statement that said: 'Our hearts go out to the family and colleagues of the security guard who lost his life while simply doing his job to keep others safe.
'Using a vehicle as a weapon and driving into unsuspecting victims is a cowardly act, and it has no place in our community.
'Our officers, detectives, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and federal partners, are working tirelessly to ensure this dangerous individual is taken off the streets and will face justice for his actions.'
If Valdes is arrested and convicted, he faces a potential sentence of between 15 years to life in prison, or even the death penalty, depending on the severity of the murder charge.
He also faces up to 15 years in prison for the aggravated battery with a deadly weapon charge.
The alleged murder took place in the parking lot of the Vale after-hours nightclub (pictured) in eastern Tampa
The Tampa Police Department has requested the public's assistance in finding and apprehending the alleged murderer.
Anyone with information about Valdes's whereabouts can contact police at 813 231 6130 and refer to report number 26-336350. Anonymous tips can be shared at 800.873.TIPS.

By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-12 05:52:54 | Updated at 2026-06-12 14:34:13
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