OCOEE, Fla. — A 15-year-old was shot and killed as he walked down a sidewalk in Ocoee Sunday morning, authorities said.
Deputies said they are searching for the gunman who shot Antwan Davis in the head at about midnight near his home as he walked on North Lakewood Avenue.
Investigators said Davis was having "ongoing disputes" with other teens in the area, and that he had been skipping school for some time.
Orange County deputies said they spoke with family members and neighbors in the area.
"He was a child. He was 15. He didn't even have his life lived and they took him from us," Davis’ aunt, Tiffany Long said. "Please come forward. We need every amount of information to bring justice to him."
A woman in the neighborhood said she heard the gunfire.
“It’s a shock that it’s a 15-year-old. The boy didn’t have a chance to live his life,” said Florence Hance.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said it’s not known if the crime is gang-related.
“You have not heard us use the word ‘gang,’ because we have no indication that this young man was actively involved in a gang, and there's a statutory definition that we have to meet if we say that someone is gang-involved,” said Demings.
Under Florida law, a group is considered a gang if it has three or more members and uses common signs, colors or symbols.
Davis’ shooting death was one of three deadly shootings in Orange County in less than three days, and there are no suspects in custody.
Davis’ death happened hours after deputies said someone shot and killed 33-year-old Latony Jones at the Silver Hills apartments in Orlando.
Authorities said there was another shooting the night before in Apopka, where a woman shot and killed her boyfriend.
Investigators said they interviewed the woman, but have not arrested her.
Demings said the community’s silence is standing between his deputies finding the shooters.
“We in law enforcement cannot stop the violence without the community’s help," Demings said.
Later Monday, he said the deputies were close to zeroing in on a primary suspect, but more evidence is needed to make an arrest.
Demings said it’s especially tough to collect evidence when the cases involve teenagers.
“No one wants to be deemed a ‘snitch,’ if you will, and sometimes there is threat of violence,” Demings said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff's Office or Crimeline at 800 423-TIPS.
"He was a child. He was 15. He didn't even have his life lived and they took him from us," Davis’ aunt, Tiffany Long said. "Please come forward. We need every amount of information to bring justice to him."
Davis’ shooting death was one of three deadly shootings in Orange County in less than three days, and there are no suspects in custody.
Davis’ death happened just hours after deputies said someone shot and killed 33-year-old Latony Jones at the Silver Hills apartments in Orlando.
Authorities said there was another shooting the night before in Apopka, where a woman shot and killed her boyfriend.
Investigators said they interviewed the woman, but have not arrested her.
Sheriff Jerry Demings said the community’s silence is standing between his deputies finding the shooters.
“We in law enforcement cannot stop the violence without the community’s help," Demings said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff's Office or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.