Post by Scumhunter on Jun 1, 2016 7:37:19 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: wtsp.com)
From wtsp.com:
Tampa, FL -- This time last year the city of Tampa was doing all it could to stem a wave of deadly gun violence.
On Tuesday, the father of one of those victim’s came forward on the anniversary of his son’s still-unsolved murder.
“It's still very painful,” said minister Edward Harris, offering an impassioned plea for someone to come forward with information.
Harris’s son E.J., 14, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in the same East Tampa Park where Harris spoke with reporters about the year since his son was killed.
It happened in broad daylight, in front of other children who ran for cover.
Three months earlier, E.J. had been shot at, but was uninjured. His father believes it may have been retribution for an earlier case in which E.J. was robbed. The teen went to police, and the suspects were arrested.
“Someone does know,” said Harris. “The children talk about it. The kids know that. They are hearing things.”
The year has taken its toll on Harris. Emotionally and physically.
He lost part of his memory to a stroke. But sadly, he can still clearly recall the sound of gunshots that day.
“And I could hear the car, when it sped away,” he said.
E.J.'s murder was part of a rash of gun violence the gripped Tampa this same time last year.
In response, the city left rec centers open for extended hours. It increased police patrols. And community groups banded together -- urging people to break the silence.
Tampa police say their combined efforts have helped somewhat. There were 18 shootings by this same time last year. There have been eight so far in 2016.
“We have had some success here in the city of Tampa,” said Tampa police spokesman Steve Hegarty, “But as I told you, the number eight is not a good number. That's still too many.”
Domani Davis was there the day his friend was murdered and still keeps video in his phone of himself and E.J. playing hoops on the same basketball courts.
He also still worries -- it could happen again.
“Some of my friends are pretty scared to come over here, because of what happened to E.J.,” said Davis.
Tampa detectives still have video of the suspect's car and Crimestoppers is still offering a cash reward for an anonymous tip.
But arrest or not, Edward Harris says the person who killed his son will get what's coming to them.
“God is still in charge,” said Harris, “God is still the one who is going to be the judge of this.”
Tampa police says it plans to put some of the same steps in place this year as it did last year when school lets out for the summer, increasing rec center hours and beefing up patrols to try to keep the gun violence from flaring up again.
www.wtsp.com/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/tampa-father-pleads-for-info-on-anniversary-of-sons-murder/224836346
Thoughts? Not only is E.J.'s murder still unsolved, but it also sadly seems it's another case of people knowing more about the case but not saying anything due to the "code of the streets." According to another article, there were several people who witnessed E.J.'s killing: www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/150345468-story
Admin Note #1: According to articles, Anyone with information about EJ's murder is asked to call Tampa police at (813) 276-3559 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.
Admin Note #2: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form