LITHIA, Fla. – February 18, 2020, would have been Brad and Meagan Hulett’s son Bradley's 16th birthday.

At first, they weren’t sure how they would handle the milestone, but the family chose to open their doors to family and friends in their son’s honor.

Roughly 150 people packed into the Hulett’s Lithia home on Tuesday morning, with cards, balloons, and gifts for the family.

“We’re just trying to get through it every day,” said Bradley’s younger sister, Alaina. “It’s really hard.”

Bradley’s friends remember him as a star basketball player who was both quiet and kind.

Throughout the gathering, Brad and Meagan were enjoying the sounds of kids running down the stairs and playing in the halls. They say their house has been much quieter since Bradley's death December 2019.

“There have been many times these past two months where that’s missing,” Meagan said.

Bradley was shot and killed inside of a Tampa Police officer’s home. He was playing video games with friends when the incident occurred.

The case has recently been turned over to the State Attorney.  

“I can assure any parent that when their kid comes over here that you don’t have to worry about your child,” Brad said. “We value them as much as our own and we wish that had happened with our son, as well.”

 

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement only two of the three eyewitnesses have spoken to detectives, prolonging the investigation. He said now it’s up the State Attorney to decide “who will be prosecuted as a result of this tragedy.” 

On Bradley’s birthday, both Meagan and Brad say they are looking for the positives. Meagan said that’s who Bradley was — positive.

“There was never a negative thing about him, ever,” she said.

Charges or not, Brad says that no longer defines his emotions and his family is working to heal.

“Charges… what are they going to fix?” he said. “Are they going to bring Bradley back? No. Would they be proper? Yes.”

Meagan posted to the #justiceforbradley Facebook page that she wants everyone to hear her son’s story and hopes it will prevent another tragedy.