A tragic incident unfolded on the Fourth of July when a 7-year-old boy was shot and killed during an argument over jet skis. The incident occurred at a boat ramp near the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Tampa, Florida. Two groups became involved in a heated dispute, with one group upset about the other group riding their jet skis too close to the shore where children were playing. As tensions escalated, gunfire erupted, resulting in the death of the young boy.
Late in the evening on the Fourth of July, Tampa police responded to a distress call at a boat ramp near the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The argument between the two groups had gotten out of control, leading to a tragic shooting. Amidst the chaos, the child’s grandfather managed to pull him into a nearby truck, but a stray bullet pierced the vehicle, injuring the grandfather and fatally striking the young boy in the head.
The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead. The grandfather, although injured, was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. Throughout the night, law enforcement officers worked tirelessly, hoping to gather new leads that would lead to the apprehension of those responsible for the shooting.
Calvin Johnson, Deputy Chief of Investigations and Support, expressed the urgent need to bring the perpetrators to justice. He emphasized that there was no justification for an argument to escalate to such a violent act, especially over something as trivial as jet skis. Johnson lamented the tragic consequences that now burden the families and communities affected by this incident, urging everyone to strive for a better society.
In the wake of this heartbreaking event, Johnson called for collective responsibility and reflection. He highlighted the alarming frequency of gun violence and its long-lasting impact on families.
Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130. For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be reached at 800-873-TIPS (8477).