Yitzian Torres Garcia

One Year Later: $25,000 Reward Offered In Yitzian Torres Garcia’s Tampa Homicide

Yitzian Torres Garcia
Yitzian Torres Garcia

TAMPA, Fla. – A year has passed since the tragic death of 7-year-old Yitzian Torres Garcia. To bring closure to his family, Crimestoppers of Tampa Bay has significantly increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved.

“Watching fireworks on the Fourth of July should not have been the end of this young life,” said Chief Lee Bercaw.  “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.”

Yitzian was killed on the night of July 4, 2023, after a verbal altercation ensued between two groups of Hispanic males regarding the reckless driving of a jet ski near the area where children were playing in the water.

Read: Florida Cold Case: 21 Years Later, Woman Identified Through DNA, Search For Killer Begins

The altercation escalated when some members of each group began shooting at each other. Yitzian’s grandfather, Juan Carlos Hernandez, suffered a gunshot wound to his hand as he attempted to protect Yitzian from the gunshots.

Today, the FBI and ATF added $5,000 each to the previous reward of $15,000. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement previously added $5,000 for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of those involved. Through the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, in partnership with the Florida Office of Attorney General, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay had previously doubled the original reward, raising it from $5,000 to $10,000. 

“We know that there are people who have information that could help solve this case and bring justice to this family,“ said Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay Executive Director Kelly McLaren. “Our goal is to make them feel comfortable enough to provide this information to investigators while remaining anonymous.”

Read: Police In Florida Crack 37-Year-Old Cold Case, Identifying Killer Of Former Firefighter

“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.

“It has been one year since the Tampa Bay Community tragically lost Yitzian Torres Garcia due to senseless violence, and we implore those who may have more information to step forward and help us find the criminals responsible. FDLE stands in partnership with Tampa P.D. both investigatively and forensically to bring those responsible for this murder to justice. The family and the community deserve to see justice served,” FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said.

Anyone with information can call Tampa Police at 813.231.6130. Those who wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for the reward can contact Crimestoppers of Tampa Bay at 800.873.TIPS, online at crimestopperstb.com, or by mobile tip using the free Florida Crime Stoppers Mobile application. Crime Stoppers must be contacted first in order to be eligible for a cash reward.

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