HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Tampa police have announced an increase in the reward for information that leads to an arrest in the shooting of seven-year-old Yitzian Torres Garcia.

He was killed in a shooting on July 4, 2023 along the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Tampa police said two groups of people got into a fight about jet skis that led to shots being fired. Garcia was hit and killed by a stray bullet.

The reward for tips is now $25,000, as the FBI and ATF added $5,000 each to the previous reward of $15,000.

Police Chief Lee Bercaw was joined by the family at a news conference Wednesday afternoon asking anyone with information to come forward. 

“Watching fireworks on the Fourth of July should not have been the end of this young life," Bercaw said.  “The Torres-Garcia family deserves justice. We hope this increased reward will serve as additional motivation for someone to come forward with information that could help in this investigation.”

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call Tampa Police at (800) 873-TIPS (8477) or www.crimestopperstb.com.

“The FBI stands ready to assist our local law enforcement partners with resources to help advance investigations and keep the public safe. We hope our contribution to the reward will incentivize the public to come forward and provide crucial information to ensure justice is served for the family of Yitzian Torres Garcia,“ said FBI Tampa Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor.

Police say Yitzian Yzacc Torres Garcia, 7, was killed on the night of July 4 on the southern side of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. (Courtesy of Stephanie Arroyo Garcia)