TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa police are investigating after they said a 15-year-old was shot outside of a home on New Year’s Day, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg in downtown Tampa and gunfire erupted near Curtis Hixon Park after an altercation between teens and a security guard.
Investigators explained that the security guard suddenly felt pain in his arm and chest and then realized he was shot.
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Rachael Parekh said that security guard is her brother, James Portocarrero.
“He had his phone but didn’t have his charger, so that was even more anxiety inducing because it was really hard to get ahold of him,” Parekh said.
Now, she said her brother is OK but has a long journey of healing ahead.
“He has some potential nerve damage in his left hand and they’re waiting to see if his feeling is going to come back or not because he might have to go in and do a follow up surgery,” Parekh explained.
Safe and Sound Hillsborough Executive Director Freddy Barton works with teens firsthand who make school threats and commit gun-related crimes.