Three years after a stray bullet killed 7-year-old Yitzian Torres Garcia during a Fourth of July outing, his family says the holiday is no longer a celebration. Instead, they spend each Independence Day honoring his memory while pleading for answers in a case that remains unsolved.
What Happened
Yitzian Torres Garcia was 7 years old when he was shot and killed on July 4, 2023, while watching fireworks with his grandfather along the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Tampa, Florida.
According to his grandfather, Juan Carlos Hernandez, an argument broke out between two groups over jet skis. During the confrontation, someone fired a gun into the air. Hernandez said he grabbed his grandson and dove into his pickup truck for cover, but one bullet pierced the vehicle, striking Hernandez in the hand and Yitzian in the head.
Investigation Update
Three years later, no arrests have been made. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said detectives continue to investigate the case and are following leads, but have not yet reached the point where charges can be filed. A $25,000 reward remains available for information leading to an arrest.
Yitzian’s family hopes someone who knows what happened will finally come forward. “If you had the guts to take out your gun and shoot, you should turn yourself in,” said Yitzian’s grandmother, Marisol Ayala.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
