'What are you going to do, individually, to make this stop?': Victim's family calls for end to gun violence

Tampa community demands justice for shooting victim

Evan Axelbank reports

TAMPA, Fla. - The family of a young nursing student who was shot and killed while driving in Tampa held candles and balloons while remembering their lost loved one, but their message was clear: justice must be served and the shootings have to stop.

At the intersection where 21-year-old Savannah Mathis was killed just over a week ago, family members prayed and showed solidarity – as police continue to investigate the shooting and hunt for the killer.

The nursing student at Hillsborough Community College was gunned down last Wednesday while driving near Julian B Lane Park, at Grace Street and Delaware Avenue.

Friday's vigil was the first time family came to the spot Savannah was killed, since the night it happened.

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Tampa police say they are getting closer to solving the seemingly random shooting death of a 21-year-old nursing student, but her loved ones want everyone to see the toll gun violence in East Tampa is having on families.

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They were joined by hundreds of people who are trying to support them.

"Put the guns down and turn yourselves in," said LaMaria Smith, Savannah’s mother. "I feel sorry for you. The purpose of this gathering is to see how many people love my daughter, realize what life you took through a cowardly act."

Tampa mother says daughter was shot for no apparent reason

A nursing student at HCC who graduated from Plant High School with a 5.0 GPA in 2018 is dead after someone shot into her car for no apparent reason. The shooter is on the run while the victim's mother searches for answers.

Police have said they’re close to making an arrest, but haven't released further details.

Meanwhile, Savannah's family is urging people to take action in their own lives to make the gun violence stop.

Police said at least one person fired at Savannah's car from another vehicle. Her passenger was also hit, but is recovering.

"We sheltered them from everything, and it still happened," said Savannah’s aunt Brandi Williams.

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Savannah’s car crashed into the wall where mourners stood Friday.

"My heart feels like it’s beating out of my chest, knowing that this is the last place my niece was," said Williams. "The horrible place that everything I read about, hear about, the place I am constantly reminded about, this is where it happened."