Family wants answers after boy, 15, shot while riding bike in Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Sheriff Jerry Demings is asking the community to help to find the person who shot a 15-year-old boy, leaving him in critical condition.

Onardo Bent was biking from his mother's house to his uncle's house when a bullet pierced his torso.

Detectives believe it could have been a stray bullet, but the family wants solid answers.

"Please, if you know anything, please call the police as soon as possible," said the victim's sister, Odeika Bent.

Bent said she can't fathom why anyone would shoot another person, let alone her 15-year-old brother.

"This is my only brother and he doesn't bother anybody," she said. "He goes to school. He is in the magnet program at Oak Ridge High School."

Onardo was biking nearly five miles from his mom's house to his uncle's when he was hit by the bullet.

Authorities said the boy pedaled to his uncle's for help, and collapsed in the living room.

Since then, he's had two surgeries but is still in critical condition.

Ornardo is also still breathing through a tube, so detectives can't talk to him.

And no one from the community has come forward with information.

"We want to bring to justice the person who was responsible for shooting this young man. We need your help," said Demings.

Bent's family said the boy was an honor student at Oak Ridge and a good athlete.

"Whoever did this, you took away that opportunity for him to play on Thursday because you did this to him," said Bent.

Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities.

WFTV