‘What the hell is going on?’: Neighbors in shock after teen shot dead near railroad tracks

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa police detectives are pleading with the public for help as they search for whoever is responsible for shooting a 14-year-old boy and leaving him for dead.

Jevario Buie was found shot to death Wednesday at about 3:30 p.m. He was found near the railroad tracks near West Busch Boulevard and Rome Avenue.

Neighbors in the area are shocked and said they were not prepared for something so unthinkable.

“About 3:40, I heard three gunshots right down the street from where I’m living, like three houses down,” a neighbor said.

A neighbor, who asked News Channel 8 to keep his identity anonymous, said he heard the shooting last week.

Other neighbors described all the police presence surrounding their homes.

“A row of police cars down the road, a row of forensic vans down this road,” Greg Smith said. “Did not know what was going on.”

Smith said the entire thing happened just feet from his fence.

He said a neighbor who was home saw someone running away from the crime scene.

“He looked as young as the other one, that was her exact words to me,” he said. “He looked as young as the other one, so I mean, they were babies out there playing with pistols is what the hell is going on? It’s crazy.”

Tampa police are trying to solve yet another case of gun violence that involves a teenager.

“These are our children,” said Jonee’ Lewis with the Tampa Police Department. “We ask you to think of his mother, think of his family, they are absolutely heartbroken. They are devastated and they deserve answers.”

“It’s terrible,” a neighbor said. “It’s really, really bad. I mean, it’s a young life that’s gone and he had a future ahead of him.”

A senseless tragedy, leaving this neighborhood on edge.

“A little bit antsy,” Smith said. “I’m not comfortable with children walking around with pistols in my neighborhood.”

Investigators urge the public that any little bit of information could help their investigation.

“The family is asking for privacy at this time, but as you can imagine, they’re heartbroken,” Lewis said. “No family wants to receive a call like that. No family wants to go through something like this. So, the very least that we could do is give any information, turn in any tips.”

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