ORLANDO, Fla. — A 14-year-old boy was fatally shot near the Mall at Millenia on Saturday, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said the shooting occurred near J.R. Street and Star Bright Drive around 6 p.m.
The victim, Antony Reid, was found with a gunshot wound and taken to the hospital, where he died, deputies said.
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The Memorial Middle School student would have turned 15 next month.
Neighbors said a group of children were playing outside when the shooting happened.
They said the area is usually a quite, safe place, but that feeling of security has been rattled by the shooting.
Annie Pratt, the victim's mother, told Channel 9 that she wants the gunman to understand her pain.
"That's my last son. My only son," she said. "And you take my only son from me? Yes, it hurts, and it hurts really bad."
This picture of Antony Reid was taken just hours before he was shot and killed shortly after playing basketball in his neighborhood with his friends. The 14-year-old's birthday was coming up next month. pic.twitter.com/L3AGrMmQVe
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) April 22, 2019
Pratt said the past month has been one full of grief.
"His dad's birthday was just on the 18th. Dad lost his child two days after his birthday," she said. "He buried his last brother on his birthday, now you've got to bury your child? That's not fair to us."
Pratt said her son had been playing basketball with friends moments before gunfire rang out. She said he loved playing sports.
"The way he interacts with kids, his little brothers, anybody that come in contact with him -- they love him," she said. "It's not OK to take someone's life. It isn't OK."
Pratt said she will organize a vigil for her Saturday, and a funeral will be held May 4.
Deputies said they are searching for suspects and an investigation is ongoing.
"They just need to come forwrad and tell what they know," Pratt said.
No other information has been released.
The mother of 14-year-old Antony Reid bravely spoke with us today about her son’s death and her message for the people responsible. I’m working to tell their family’s story for @WFTV at 4 and 5:00. pic.twitter.com/saORz15hfY
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) April 22, 2019
BREAKING: Police have blocked off all of J R Street in a neighborhood next to Millenia Mall. Some neighbors say they heard gunshots and others described seeing a car speed away around the same time. pic.twitter.com/WsLaG5Noos
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) April 20, 2019
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