Days after a 14-year-old boy was shot on the street in his Tampa neighborhood, police are looking to the public for help in finding answers and solving the crime.
- De'Nico Thomas, 14, shot before midnight Tuesday
- Investigators believe Thomas was at a friend's house before he was shot
- Have information? Call 1-800-873-TIPS
De’Nico Thomas, 14, was found lying on E. Cayuga Street near Potter Elementary School in Tampa just before midnight on June 20.
Police Chief Brian Dugan visited the teen and his grandmother at the hospital Friday. He said De’Nico has had two surgeries and is awaiting another.
Investigators haven’t been able to talk to him yet, so they’re hoping others will tell them what happened.
“We need people to step forward with information to tell us what happened, and we need people to start telling us who possesses guns illegally so we can prevent further violence throughout the summer,” said Dugan.
Investigators believe Thomas was playing video games at a friend’s house earlier in the evening, and he was walking home when he was shot. Thomas's home is on the other side of Potter Elementary.
“[Thomas]'s currently is in the hospital fighting for his life,” Dugan said.
Investigators are still working to determine a motive or whether it was a drive-by shooting.
Based on interviews with witnesses, they believe the shooter was in a white sedan.
Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the suspect in this case. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 1-800-873-TIPS.