Man shot 5 times leaving Tampa strip club

TAMPA -- A man leaving a strip club was shot five times early this morning, but he is in stable condition at St. Joseph's Hospital, Tampa police said.

Police said Tracy Valdez and two friends were walking from Club Wild, a strip club at 3620 W Hillsborough Ave., when they were approached by a car with no headlights about 2 a.m. A gunman emerged from the car and opened fire, striking Valdez, 35, while his two friends ran away.

Valdez somehow ran back into the club to call for help.

Police described the gunman as black, about 6 feet tall with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a black bandanna. Police said he sped away in a gray or silver Dodge Magnum with tinted windows. Police said at least two other people were in the car.

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer