Police Seek Two More Suspects in Fatal Fire

Police have released the descriptions of the two at-large suspects in Thursday’s fatal arson fire in South Tampa. Two other suspects were arrested over the weekend.

Police are looking for a white male in his late teens or early twenties with shoulder-length, surfer-style hair and a partial goatee. He is 5’6” to 5’7” tall with a medium build.

The other suspect is a white male between 5’8” and 5’10” tall with a slim build. He has short dark hair and a tan complexion.

Polk County Deputies have arrested Kermit Lee Sanford, 34, on Saturday night on a first-degree murder warrant for the death of Richard Lee Blackman, 65. Early Sunday morning, Orange County Deputies arrested Tanner Blake Harrison, 19, on the same charge.

Police believe Sanford, Harrison and two other suspects went to Blackman's home at 6709 Interbay Blvd. to rob him early Thursday. They attacked Blackman in his home and stole items before setting it on fire, police said.

A witness called 911 at 1:39 a.m. Thursday after seeing smoke and flames coming from the victim's home. Blackman was found in the living room and rushed to Tampa General Hospital, where he died.

The Medical Examiner has not determined the cause of death, and they are still conducting additional testing.

Detectives are still searching for a white, four-door car seen on the surveillance video of a nearby convenience store around the time of the fire. The car has tinted windows and may be a Hyundai. The driver was a white female who wore a pink bandana.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or Crime Stoppers at 800-873-TIPS.