Homeless man's death called a homicide

TAMPA -- The 44-year-old man found lying on his back and bleeding late last night was the victim of a homicide, a Medical Examiner determined this afternoon.

Police patrolling the area discovered the homeless man near a storefront in Columbus Plaza at 5016 E 10th Ave. about 11:30 p.m. He was later pronounced dead.

The man's identity was being withheld by Tampa police pending notification of next of kin. It is unclear how long the man had been there, but police said he was bleeding from the mouth when they arrived.

A Tampa police incident report states the officers and Tampa Fire Rescue officials tried to resuscitate the man, but he was later pronounced dead. Detectives are investigating.

- Casey Cora and Rebecca Catalanello, Times staff writers