Peter PJ Hyman Jr. was a 16-year-old honor student from Tampa, Florida, remembered by family as funny, sweet and goofy. The middle child and only son in his family, he attended Jefferson High School, belonged to Greater Mount Carmel Church and enjoyed basketball, video games, dancing and building with LEGOs. Two weeks before he died he had spoken with his mother about wanting to become an engineer.

On the evening of September 14, 2024, PJ was at Citrus Park Town Center Mall with friends. Just after 7 p.m., gunfire erupted near the Red Robin restaurant and he was struck in the upper body. Deputies found him in the parking lot; he was taken to a local hospital and died of his injuries.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation. The family announced that a 15-year-old, Samuel Oquendo, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder; he is to be tried as an adult. The community held a candlelight vigil and the family set up a GoFundMe to help with expenses.

If anyone was at the mall that evening or has information about what happened near the Red Robin, please share what was seen or heard.