Tampa Police Officer Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges Amid Local News Updates

Tampa police officer arrested on domestic violence charges; multiple other local news updates

Tampa has recently seen several notable developments spanning law enforcement, community support initiatives, culinary ventures, and aviation incidents. Among these, a Tampa police officer faces serious domestic violence charges, while a local nonprofit has expanded its mission to employ adults with disabilities through coffee shops around the city. A Swedish chef is opening a new fine dining concept downtown, and a flight crew experienced a notable landing error between two nearby airports.

• Steven Barber, a Tampa police officer, was charged with domestic battery by strangulation, domestic violence battery, and false imprisonment after an off-duty incident.
• Mohammed Ibrahim was released from an Israeli prison after nine months detained as a minor, only to receive tragic news about his cousin’s death shortly after.
• Tampa-based nonprofit Coffee Uniting People (CUP) opened its fifth coffee shop to provide meaningful employment for adults with disabilities.
• Swedish chef Ebbe Vollmer plans to open STOP-BKK, a modern Bangkok-inspired eatery, joining his Michelin-starred and casual seafood restaurants downtown.
• A Cessna Citation mistakenly lined up to land at nearby MacDill Air Force Base instead of Tampa International Airport but corrected the approach safely.

Tampa police officer Steven Barber arrested on domestic violence charges

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office charged Steven Barber with serious domestic violence offenses, including domestic battery by strangulation, domestic violence battery, and false imprisonment. Barber, employed by the Tampa Police Department (TPD) since 2007, was arrested following an off-duty incident involving a woman known to him. He had been on military deployment since March 2025 and was expected to return to duty the following month. After release from a local facility, he was arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and transferred to Orient Road Jail. TPD has placed Barber on administrative leave pending the investigation. Chief Lee Bercaw emphasized that domestic violence is a serious crime and that no one is above the law, expressing support for the victim and a commitment to hold offenders accountable.

Community resources for domestic violence

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay urges those affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, or suicidal thoughts to seek help by calling 211. A comprehensive list of mental health and domestic violence resources is also available for the Tampa Bay community.

Release of Mohammed Ibrahim: A bittersweet moment for a Tampa family

Sixteen-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim, who was detained for nine months in an Israeli prison from the age of 15, was finally released recently after considerable political pressure and media advocacy. Detained thousands of miles from Tampa, Ibrahim endured harsh conditions, including being blindfolded, zip-tied, and taken at gunpoint. His release came amidst concern as he had lost nearly a third of his body weight and suffered medical issues such as scabies. Family members are now caring for him during his recovery, including intravenous therapy.

Tragically, minutes after his release, Ibrahim learned that his cousin Saif—whom he planned to work with at a Tampa-area ice cream shop—had been beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The family described the past year as marked by fear, loss, and uncertainty but expressed dedication to supporting Ibrahim’s healing. One of Ibrahim's first acts upon returning home was visiting his cousin’s grave.

Coffee Uniting People expands employment opportunities for adults with disabilities

This Thanksgiving, Coffee Uniting People (CUP), a Tampa-based nonprofit, opened its fifth coffee shop, this time at Tampa General’s Outpatient Center in Brandon. CUP aims to combat the high unemployment rate (about 80%) among adults with disabilities by providing meaningful jobs that go beyond paychecks. Founded by a local attorney and his wife, CUP currently employs over 60 individuals with disabilities, with a waitlist in the triple digits.

Employees such as Justin Scarle and Alli Schulte find their work rewarding and positive, bringing joy and energy to the communities they serve. CUP’s workforce receives $14 an hour, and the initiative has garnered praise from healthcare leaders like Marion Dawkins of Tampa General, who highlighted the infectious positivity of the CUP team. Additional CUP locations are planned, including one slated to open in early 2026.

Swedish chef Ebbe Vollmer to open STOP-BKK in downtown Tampa

Celebrated Swedish chef Ebbe Vollmer is launching his third restaurant concept in the same downtown Tampa building at 1202 N. Franklin Street. Following his Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant Ebbe and the casual seafood eatery Fisk, STOP-BKK will offer a modern Bangkok-themed menu. Scheduled to open on December 2, the new venue will serve creative dishes grouped into categories like “Small Bites,” including mango hot wings and tom yum fritters, and “Crispies,” featuring Singapore crispy duck and Bangkok street noodles. This addition enhances Tampa’s food scene with a blend of Nordic culinary skill and Southeast Asian flavors.

Aviation incident: Wrong airport approach near Tampa

On November 16, 2025, a Cessna Citation VI (N500FR) approaching Tampa International Airport (TPA) mistakenly lined up for landing at nearby MacDill Air Force Base, located just eight miles south. During a northerly landing flow, the Citation was cleared to approach runway 1L at Tampa but deviated, making a right turn toward MacDill’s runway 5. Pilots recognized the error at approximately 300 feet altitude and executed a go-around, coordinating calmly with air traffic controllers before safely rejoining the correct landing sequence at Tampa International.

This unusual deviation highlighted the challenge of proximity between Tampa International and MacDill AFB, whose runway orientations differ but are close enough to cause visual confusion. Experts recommend always using instrument landing system (ILS) aids as backups during visual approaches to avoid such mistakes. The incident is not isolated in the Tampa area; historical episodes include an Eastern Airlines Boeing 727 mistakenly landing at MacDill in 1984 and a viral 2012 video of a C-17 Globemaster landing at Peter O. Knight Airport when originally planned for MacDill.

These stories collectively reflect the diverse challenges and developments within Tampa’s community, from law enforcement accountability and immigrant family struggles to inclusive employment efforts, vibrant culinary innovation, and aviation safety vigilance.