TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police report progress in the investigation of the shooting incident that claimed the life of 7-year-old Yitzian Garcia, one week ago.
Deputy Chief Michael Hutley expressed the dedication of their homicide detectives, stating that they have been tirelessly working on the case.
He acknowledged the tragic nature of the event and the efforts being made to resolve it. Hutley also emphasized that the detectives are actively pursuing leads and expressed hope for a resolution and the identification of the suspect.
The shooting occurred on the eastbound side of the Clearwater Causeway during an argument between two groups regarding jet skis.
Due to the darkness of the surroundings and the involvement of multiple individuals, the availability of witnesses has been limited, making the case more challenging for the investigators.
The police urge anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and provide it to the detectives.
In their ongoing efforts to combat violent crime, the officers have initiated a series of community meetings aimed at fostering communication between the community members and the police.
According to the Tampa Police Department, the overall crime rate for the year-to-date period from January to June 2023 has decreased by 2.2% compared to the same period last year.
Violent crime has also decreased by 7.7%, and incidents of violent crimes involving firearms have decreased by 12%.
However, data shared by the police during the forum revealed a 2.4% increase in fatal shootings.
Acknowledging that an ideal world would be free of crime, Deputy Chief Hutley expressed the reality of the existence of criminal elements.
He reassured the community that the police are committed to their duty of apprehending criminals and bringing them to justice on a daily basis.
