TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Tucson police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Wednesday afternoon in the 3700 block of E. 4th St.
Officers say 15-year-old Sephaul Booker was pronounced dead on the scene. He suffered at least one gunshot wound.
Sgt. Kimberly Bay says police received the 911 call around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. When officers arrived they found the boy in the parking lot.
Based on preliminary information, detectives are searching for two Caucasian or light skinned Hispanic men in their late teens to early 20's.
The men are associated to a white or light colored small to mid-size sport utility vehicle, said Bay.
A candlelight vigil will be held for Booker outside St. Marks Presbyterian Church located at 3809 East 3rd Street at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
Detectives are urging anyone with information to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME immediately.
Nine On Your Side spoke to friends and family of the boy on Thursday.
"If I could just bring him back and tell him he could do so much more with his life. He had so much potential," said Jahmel Raymond, a relative of Booker.
Manuel Lopez says he grew up with Booker near Freedom Park. He was on the phone with him just hours before he learned his friend had been shot.
"Then I get another call saying he was gone," said Lopez.
Those who knew him had the same thoughts about Booker's death - too young.
"He was just 15, I wanted to see him turn 18," Lopez said.
Police are still investigating the circumstances around the shooting and what led up.
Jamal Givens works with youth and violence as the director of CODAC'S Child and Family Services. He spoke to us about youth and violence in Tucson. Givens says youth are losing hope, but they need to realize consequences of certain decisions.
"We teach them to think about who their friends are and what they are getting involved in. I think it's also important to consider consequences when engaging in certain activities and with certain people," he said.
Givens says parents should be involved too. While their children are young, Givens says parents are very involved, but once a kid gets into high school they may take a step back. He says keeping that influence is important.
