“All I could do is hold my kids close; it could have been any one of them who was playing,” said Tiara Smith who is still in disbelief that her nephew, Tashawn Gallon was shot several times while playing in his own front yard in Jacksonville on Sunday.
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PHOTO GALLERY: 7-year-old shot, killed in Jacksonville
Police said an SUV pulled up in front of their home, firing several shots and setting up a shootout that killed the 7-year old.
Dozens of family members came together outside the house where this happened to remember Tashawn with balloons and candles that were referred to as symbols of love and affection.
“I really thought this was a bad dream, but waking up, you keep hearing and seeing, it’s crazy. I can’t believe it,” Smith said.
“It’s heartbreaking, he was seven, like he didn’t get to do nothing he wanted to do in life,” Smith said.
This comes on the same day that police said they found the SUV used in the shooting.
Police said it was reported stolen two weeks ago.
“We all want to know who did it, who would take a child’s life. We want to know the answer,” Smith said.
Action News Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said the vehicle could lead police to the suspects and calls it a big break in the case.
“There’s a lot of evidence in that truck, fingerprints, and they can use the machine to identify who was in the vehicle driving it,” Jefferson said.
As family members lit candles and prayed for answers, there were also pleas to end the violence.
“Everybody put the guns down, it’s kids these days getting killed,” Smith said.
Police are asking anyone who knows anything to come forward with information. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward up to $3,000 contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
A $10,000 reward is being offered in the case.