Topline: A Spanish tourist was charged with premeditated first-degree murder after Tampa police said he fatally stabbed a man near East Zack Street and then called 911 claiming he had found the victim dead.
Published: April 14, 2026 11:00 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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Diego Ponce-Molina is shown in a booking photo released by Tampa police. He is charged with first-degree murder in a downtown Tampa stabbing.
TAMPA, FL — A Spanish tourist was charged with premeditated first-degree murder after Tampa police found him holding a blood-covered knife beside a man who had been stabbed to death near East Zack Street in downtown Tampa.
10 Tampa Bay reported that officers responded after 3:45 p.m. Friday when a 911 caller said he had found a bloody body near train tracks in the area and claimed he had cut himself after touching a knife near the victim.
When officers arrived, according to police, they found the dead man and 41-year-old Diego Ponce Molina standing next to him while holding a knife wrapped in a cloth and covered in blood.
Police said Ponce Molina’s backpack was beside the victim, and investigators found a receipt showing two knives had been purchased from Outdoor World a few days before the stabbing.
According to the arrest affidavit, one knife was in Ponce Molina’s pocket and the other was in his hand when officers encountered him at the scene.
After reviewing surveillance footage, detectives said they saw Ponce Molina walk by the victim twice before his arm could be seen swinging up and down, after which the victim was seen on the ground.
Officials said Ponce Molina then called 911 and family members and claimed he had found the man dead.
Tampa police said investigators do not believe there was any interaction between the two men before the attack.
According to authorities, Ponce Molina is a Spanish national who was in Tampa on vacation.
He was booked on a charge of premeditated first-degree murder, according to police.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Spanish Tourist Charged With First-Degree Murder in Downtown Tampa Stabbing
A Spanish tourist was charged with premeditated first-degree murder after Tampa police said he fatally stabbed a man near East Zack Street and then called 911 claiming he had found the victim dead.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 14, 2026 11:00 am ET
Diego Ponce-Molina is shown in a booking photo released by Tampa police. He is charged with first-degree murder in a downtown Tampa stabbing.
TAMPA, FL — A Spanish tourist was charged with premeditated first-degree murder after Tampa police found him holding a blood-covered knife beside a man who had been stabbed to death near East Zack Street in downtown Tampa.
10 Tampa Bay reported that officers responded after 3:45 p.m. Friday when a 911 caller said he had found a bloody body near train tracks in the area and claimed he had cut himself after touching a knife near the victim.
When officers arrived, according to police, they found the dead man and 41-year-old Diego Ponce Molina standing next to him while holding a knife wrapped in a cloth and covered in blood.
Police said Ponce Molina’s backpack was beside the victim, and investigators found a receipt showing two knives had been purchased from Outdoor World a few days before the stabbing.
According to the arrest affidavit, one knife was in Ponce Molina’s pocket and the other was in his hand when officers encountered him at the scene.
After reviewing surveillance footage, detectives said they saw Ponce Molina walk by the victim twice before his arm could be seen swinging up and down, after which the victim was seen on the ground.
Officials said Ponce Molina then called 911 and family members and claimed he had found the man dead.
Tampa police said investigators do not believe there was any interaction between the two men before the attack.
According to authorities, Ponce Molina is a Spanish national who was in Tampa on vacation.
He was booked on a charge of premeditated first-degree murder, according to police.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Spanish Tourist Charged With First-Degree Murder in Downtown Tampa Stabbing
A Spanish tourist was charged with premeditated first-degree murder after Tampa police said he fatally stabbed a man near East Zack Street and then called 911 claiming he had found the victim dead.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 14, 2026 11:00 am ET
Diego Ponce-Molina is shown in a booking photo released by Tampa police. He is charged with first-degree murder in a downtown Tampa stabbing.
TAMPA, FL — A Spanish tourist was charged with premeditated first-degree murder after Tampa police found him holding a blood-covered knife beside a man who had been stabbed to death near East Zack Street in downtown Tampa.
10 Tampa Bay reported that officers responded after 3:45 p.m. Friday when a 911 caller said he had found a bloody body near train tracks in the area and claimed he had cut himself after touching a knife near the victim.
When officers arrived, according to police, they found the dead man and 41-year-old Diego Ponce Molina standing next to him while holding a knife wrapped in a cloth and covered in blood.
Police said Ponce Molina’s backpack was beside the victim, and investigators found a receipt showing two knives had been purchased from Outdoor World a few days before the stabbing.
According to the arrest affidavit, one knife was in Ponce Molina’s pocket and the other was in his hand when officers encountered him at the scene.
After reviewing surveillance footage, detectives said they saw Ponce Molina walk by the victim twice before his arm could be seen swinging up and down, after which the victim was seen on the ground.
Officials said Ponce Molina then called 911 and family members and claimed he had found the man dead.
Tampa police said investigators do not believe there was any interaction between the two men before the attack.
According to authorities, Ponce Molina is a Spanish national who was in Tampa on vacation.
He was booked on a charge of premeditated first-degree murder, according to police.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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