Who was Yitzian Torres Garcia? Grandparents of 7-year-old fatally shot on 4th of July speak out as killer remains unknown
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
TAMPA, FLORIDA: The devastated grandparents of Yitzian Torres Garcia, 7, who died from being shot during the Fourth of July celebrations, have been persistently demanding justice as the perpetrators remain unidentified.
The little boy was visiting his grandparents in Tampa, Florida, from Puerto Rico at the time of his death.
How did Yitzian Torres Garcia die?
Yitzian Torres Garcia reportedly became the victim of "a verbal altercation ensued between two groups of Hispanic males regarding the reckless driving of a jet ski near the area where children were playing in the water," as per Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay.
The Crime Stoppers statement added, "The altercation escalated when some members of each group began shooting at each other. Yitzian’s grandfather, Juan Carlos Hernandez, suffered a gunshot wound to his hand as he attempted to protect Yitzian from the gunshots."
On Sunday, August 20, the child's family and known ones went to the spot where he was murdered to pay their tributes.
In a Facebook post made for Garcia, it was written that his "life was snatched from him a lost bullet at a celebration of July 4, 2023, in Tampa Florida."
The person also stated, "His family asks for justice for this beautiful little angel who was just starting to live!!! A family suffers and all of us who go through pain like this know how much it hurts and more when earthly justice is not served 😫 help this family."
Yitzian Torres Garcia’s grandparents speak out
The grandparents haven't stopped demanding justice ever since the incident. Garcia’s grandmother, Marisol Ayala, said, "It’s very hard because he was a happy baby. He came for vacation. He comes alive, and we have to give him back in a casket to his parents," to WFLA.
His grandfather, Juan Carlos Hernandez, who put his life at risk to save him, stated, "If he [the gunman] feels that day that he’s a man and he pulled out a gun and starts shooting, just be a man and get in front of the justice and turn yourself in."
Ayala also expressed, "This is the place the accident happened, we just want people to remember that we’re still looking for justice for the baby. This was a person they killed not an animal," adding, "We’re just looking for the people to come forward and people to help us."
Crime Stoppers offers a substantial reward for the 'identification and arrest of the unknown suspect(s)' in Yitzian Torres Garcia's killing
Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay doubled the original reward of $5,000 to $10,000.
Moreover, a statement issued by Kelly McLaren, Executive Director of Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay, read, "Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $5,500 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the unknown suspect(s) involved in this case."
It added, "In addition, reward monies of up to $4,500 are now available through the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, in partnership with the Florida Office of Attorney General. The tip must come through the Crime Stoppers program and lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect(s) to be eligible for the enhanced reward."
The Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay also noted that an additional $5,000 for tips is being offered by The Florida Department of Law Enforcement.