Orange County

Police identify teen shot, killed near downtown Orlando, search for gunman continues

ORLANDO, Fla. — 8:50 p.m. Update:

Orlando police have identified the teenager who was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon.

Officers said 15-year-old Antwan Roberts, Jr.  was the boy they found shot to death near downtown Orlando.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call the Orlando Police Department at 321-235-5300 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).

Original report:

Orlando Police said a teenager was murdered Tuesday afternoon and they are looking for help to find the killer.

The shooting happened at around 1:40 p.m. on Columbia Street near West Gore Street and Interstate 4.

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Police said the victim is a boy between 15 to 16 years old.

“Not even an hour before this incident happened we were having our Joint Chiefs meeting and we were talking about the fact that the Parramore area, in the last two years, have seen and we’ll verify this number for you, almost a 60% reduction in the number of homicides that have occurred here,” said Orlando Police Chief, Orlando Rolon. “It should be disturbing to everyone whenever a young life is taken.”

Officers said they did not know much about the victim early into the investigation because no one in the area came forward to identify the child.

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Investigators believe he does not live in the area where the shooting occurred.

A large police presence responded to a crime scene focused through the front yards of two homes.

Orlando police are looking for family members or friends of the boy.

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OPD said an officer was in the area when the shooting occurred and quickly responded to help the child, but was unable to save him.

Officers are canvassing the area for any security video that could have clues to help them solve the murder.

They’re hoping someone in the public with information will come forward.

See the shooting location in the map below:

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