Two years have passed since the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Yitzian Torres Garcia during a 4th of July celebration in Tampa, and the case remains unsolved with no arrests. As the third anniversary of the tragedy approaches, frustration and heartache continue to loom over the family. "We're still grieving. People tell us like, let him rest in peace. It's hard," Marisol Ayala, Yitzian's grandmother, told FOX 13 News. She further expressed that the presence of cameras and phones among those in attendance raises doubts as to why the case has remained cold. Planning to revisit the scene, the family holds onto hope that new light can be shed on the incident.
The fatal event took place near the Courtney Campbell Causeway, where Yitzian had been enjoying the holiday festivities with his grandfather. Upon the eruption of an argument between two groups, which escalated into gunfire, Yitzian was tragically caught in the crossfire. To protect his grandson, Juan Carlos Hernandez, Yitzian's grandfather, shielded him with his own body, suffering a gunshot wound to the hand as a result. According to Spot on Florida, the family continues their plea for justice. As part of the pursuit for answers, Crime Stoppers has increased the reward to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Meanwhile, the boy's grandmother, Marisol Ayala, communicated her agony over the loss in an interview with SNN TV, "Every day, it affects me because he was 7 years old." The trauma has deeply affected the family, also leaving Yitzian's grandfather with a constant, painful reminder, having lost a finger when attempting to protect his grandson.
Despite the family's demands for justice and efforts from law enforcement, the case lingers with no conclusion. Taking an argument to the point of pulling guns, as Ayala mentioned, has irreversibly impacted their lives. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw reiterated the gravity of the case, “No child’s life should end while watching fireworks on the Fourth of July,” he stated, urging anyone with information to come forward. The sentiment was echoed by a spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department who issued a statement to FOX 13, maintaining a deep commitment to the case and the pursuit of closure for Yitzian's family.
