Cortnee Brantley Released from Custody in Tampa Officers' Deaths, Dontae Morris Still Being Sought

At a Wednesday afternoon press briefing Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor and Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said they believe they are close to capturing suspected cop killer Dontae RaShawn Morris. They also wanted to address the public's outrage over suspected getaway driver Cortnee Nicole Brantley's release from police custody hours after a tip led police to her apartment near the scene of the Tuesday morning shootings.

The shootings left Officer's David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab dead and both Morris and Brantley returned to her apartment where police say they apparently split up. The shootings started after Brantley's Red Toyota Camry was pulled over for not having a license plate. Officer Curtis ran the passengers information in the system and found he was wanted in Jacksonville on a worthless check warrant.

Kocab responded as backup to make the arrest. Morris ambushed both officers when they attempted to handcuff him.

The warrant wasn't Morris' first brush with the law. He has been in and out of prison for 14 different offenses in the past 10 years. Police in Tampa also want to question Morris in another murder there recently.

Hours after the shootings a tip led investigators to Cortnee Brantley at her apartment on 50th Ave. in Tampa. Brantley was arrested without incident. But, it was her release from custody late Tuesday night that has many people in Florida so angry, especially given details of Brantley's attitude towards investigators.

The Tampa Police department reports Brantley became agitated during questioning and was very combative verbally. She refused to tell police anything about where Morris was, who was helping him and why she didn't report the shootings to police. She requested a lawyer and so far has not spoken to anyone regarding Morris or the shootings.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castro said Brantley isn't out of the woods yet as far as charges are concerned. She said at this point they need to gather more evidence in their case against her, and that she is being heavily monitored by authorities in case she tries to help Morris or take off. Castro asked that the public trust her and her department with the decision to release Brantley.

But, police believe Dontae Morris is being helped by someone in the community and Chief Castro warned that anyone caught helping Morris will be charged as an accessory to murder after the fact.

Meanwhile, a reward in the case grew overnight from $75,000 to $100,000 for any information that leads to Dontae Morris' arrest for the murders of the police officers. Many people Morris associated with have already come forward with tips and clues that Police said have given them a good idea of where Morris might be and who might be helping him.

Police said they would like to speak to Dontae Morris' brother Dwayne Callaway who is wanted on a probation violation. Family members said they haven't seen Callaway in a while.

Reporters for various media outlets swarmed on Dontae Morris' mothers house in Tampa after news spread of his Tampa connection. A family member, acting as a family spokesperson, said the family has not had contact with Morris in 6 years and that they disassociated themselves with him a long time ago due to his violent criminal past.

The family released a statement asking for Morris to turn himself in or contact one of them and they could turn him in together if he was afraid of being injured or killed.

Local residents near the apartment of Cortnee Brantley were still on edge Wednesday as they awaited word that Morris had been captured. Many residents said they won't feel safe until Brantley is gone from the complex and her boyfriend is behind bars where he belongs.