TAMPA, Fla. — Jevario Buie’s family is still reeling ten days after Jevario's death, and the grief is compounded because those responsible still haven't been arrested.
After today's vigil for crime victims in Tampa, Jevario's family, including his mother, spoke with 10 Tampa Bay about the teenager known as "Vario" and their demand for justice.
“Javario was always laughing,” said his mother, Jasmine Baldwin. “He really loved his family, his sisters; he would always protect them.”
Baldwin said she constantly thinks about her 14-year-old son and that she will never be whole.
“I have three other girls,” she said. “And we're missing, I'm missing something. I will never be the same.”
In the afternoon on April 17th, Vario was found dead by police near train tracks off West Busch Boulevard, with multiple gunshot wounds. His mother says she didn't hear from police her son was dead until six hours later-- after she'd finished working and had started making dinner for her family.
“I don't know where he was shot at,” she says. “I don't know if he suffered. I haven't even got to see him.”
She says she's frustrated that she's learned more about what happened from teenagers instead of detectives. She and her family are asking anyone with information to visit www.justice4jevariobuie.com to make an anonymous tip.
“They don't have any information to give me,” she says. “Anytime I speak to them, they're asking me for information and I give it to them.”
She is also upset the parents of those who were there have remained silent.
“If my son would have done this to another child, and I found out, I’m taking him to the police station,” she said. “I'm taking him the same day. Whenever I find out, we're going.”
Vario's family is planning a celebration of life for him in early May. A funeral home now has his body, but they still haven’t seen him.
“Based on the advice of the funeral home, we haven't seen Jevario,” said his grandfather, Michael Baldwin. “But we understand that he has suffered some very vicious wounds.”
“I still haven't seen him,” said Jasmine. “As a mother, yes, I want to hug him. I want to see him.”
Today, Tampa Police wouldn't tell 10 Tampa Bay how many tips they've received in the case but said they are actively investigating the murder. They additionally ask you call the police department or Crimestoppers of Tampa Bay if you have any information. Crimestoppers and the family are offering a reward of $8,000 for information leading to a conviction.
You can contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or **TIPS, report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com, or send a mobile tip using the free Florida Crime Stoppers Mobile application.