TAMPA, Fla. — As crowds pack Ybor City for Halloween, Tampa’s police chief said he wants to reassure people his officers have their backs.
It comes nearly one year after a shooting in the area killed two people. A total of 16 other people were hurt.
In the meantime, loved ones of those who were harmed said they don’t want them to be forgotten.
Rachel Sims’ daughter Kila Ryker was among those who was caught in the crossfire and was shot.
Sims said her daughter is still recovering physically and mentally.
“The daughter that I had before, they took from me,” Sims said. “She can't do some activities with us as a family because it's in crowded areas. She can't deal with loud noises.”
Loved ones said Ryker is known for her being a prankster, her contagious laugh, and for being lighthearted, along with her work with a non-profit.
Her family is trying to support her in every way after the trauma endured from the shooting.
“I'm grateful that my sister's alive, but at what cost? I mean, if you would have met Kila way before the shooting, she was very lively, very energetic,” her sister Marissa Ryker said.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said there will be extra patrol. Officers will be in plain clothes, bicycles, horseback, in air service and monitoring cameras.
Partner law enforcement agencies will also be present as added protection.
The shooting killed 20-year-old Harrison Boonstoppel and 14-year-old Elijah Wilson.
Boonstoppel’s family has since tried to shed light on gun violence through an organization.
Businesses owners 10 Tampa Bay spoke with said they feel safe in Ybor City. The added police presence is something they said they appreciate.
However, they recognize the shooting affected the way people view the community.
“Don’t let one bad scenario skew your whole opinion on how this one place is. It’s just not like that,” Kyle Gargan said.
Moving forward, Sims said it’s important to have accountability for those committing gun violence and wants to create meaningful change after nearly losing her daughter.
“We don't want to be angry. We don't want to be bitter. We want to be better and we want to reach out to others,” Sims said.
Sims said she has started a non-profit Danae’s Way as a way to shed light on the issue, and help other survivors and their families.
All three suspects of the shooting are expected to appear in court in January.
Chief Bercaw said there will be a candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost and those affected on Tuesday, which will mark one year since the shooting.