Orange County

‘She wanted to make the world a better place’: Police continue to search for suspect who fatally shot girl, 16, at Orlando gas station

ORLANDO, Fla. — People are remembering a teenager who was shot and killed in Orlando over the weekend.

Family and friends of Tavyiah King held a vigil Monday night in her memory.

King’s family said more needs to be done to protect children from violent crime.

READ: ‘She will never be forgotten’: Dozens gather for vigil honoring 16-year-old shot and killed in Orlando

As family and friends remember King or “TT” they talked about her spirit.

“She wanted to make the world a better place,” her brother said.

They also brought a message of anti-gun violence.

READ: “They took my baby girl”: 16-year-old girl killed in shooting in Orlando

“You can wrestle or put on some gloves and fight it out, but no, you go and put a bullet in someone’s child,” said Nasier Santiago, King’s cousin.

The 16-year-old was shot and killed on Sunday when the car she was riding in came under gunfire near a Wawa at Silver Star Road and John Young Parkway.

King is also the niece of Orlando commissioner Regina Hill.

READ: ‘We expect better’: Orange County mayor responds to governor’s decision to suspend local coronavirus emergency orders

“I sincerely believe that we’re dealing with youth that have major issues with trauma,” Hill said. “We need to give them something that they don’t have to resort to violence, somewhere to go that is a safe space that they can talk about whatever is killing them from within so that they don’t have to kill.”

Channel 9 is reaching out to Orlando police to see if any new information is available to share about a suspect or suspects.

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Cierra Putman

Cierra Putman, WFTV.com

Cierra Putman flew south to join Eyewitness News in July 2016.

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