TAMPA, Fla. — Family members are making a public plea for information in the murder of 14-year-old Jevario Buie.
The teenager was found shot to death in Tampa on April 17 by the railroad tracks along West Busch Boulevard near Chamberlain High School, between Busch Boulevard and Rome Avenue.
“I just can't believe that he's gone,” the boy’s grandmother Joquetta Winters sobbed. “They took him away.”
It was a tearful plea for answers.
Relatives say someone knows something about who shot and killed the Jevario.
“There is a difference between snitching and standing on morals and values that we have seen diminish over time,” Jamilia Land with Moms Demand Action said. “This was a child.”
Relatives, gathering at a Tampa funeral home, said this was the first time they were able to see Jevario since the shooting.
His body had just been released to them by the coroner’s office.
“Our hope was to be preparing for his graduation,” his grandfather, Michael Baldwin, said. “Instead, today we had to plan for his funeral.”
His loved ones described Jevario as a good kid. No drinking, no smoking, no gang activity and no guns, they said.
He enjoyed playing football and video games, and spending time with his family.
“He was raised right. Never was in any trouble. Never harmed anybody,” Jevario’s Uncle, Harvellio Buie, said. “And we will get through as a family.”
Tampa Police are still investigating what led up to the shooting.
Relatives believe Jevario was confronting a bully and was lured to the area where he was then beaten, they say, by as many as a dozen young people before being shot to death.
Earlier in the week, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw called Jevario’s death a senseless tragedy.
The Chief said detectives are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice and joined the family in asking anyone with information to come forward.
If you know something about this case, you can call the Tampa Police Department or remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800 873-TIPS.
The family is also offering a $1000 award for information leading to an arrest.
“For the parents of the children that were involved, we pray that you do the right thing,” Land said. “If this was your child, you would want someone to stand up and speak up.”