Community tight-lipped about shooting of Tampa teen

TAMPA (FOX 13) - He played video games at a friend's house and then got on his bike to ride home, but was shot before he could get there.

Now, the 14-year-old boy is in the hospital fighting to survive while police try to find the shooter.             

Tampa police say they don’t have a suspect or person of interest. Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said Friday he hopes someone in the community knows something.

He hopes that person will come forward and help put the shooter behind bars.

“A lot of the people that we’re talking to didn’t see the shooting first-hand but they’ll talk about rumors they’ve heard and those rumors are coming from somewhere,” explained TPD’s Steve Hogan.

Police are digging for information - a nugget that may help them find out who fired at Keith De’Nico as he rode his bicycle along East Cayuga St. Wednesday just before midnight.

First responders found the teen with a gunshot wound in the abdomen.

“We need to stand up and say the violence is enough and we need to put an end to it,” Chief Dugan said.

So in cases like these, where tips aren’t coming in, officers head out and canvas neighborhoods for anyone who can shed light on what happened.

“The best way to get information from people is treating them with respect and you get a lot further with that. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar,” Hogan said.

So far, police thing the shooter may have been riding in a white car.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 873-tips.  Anonymous tips may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.