Peter "PJ" Hyman Jr., a 16-year-old from Tampa, Florida, was fatally shot outside the Citrus Park Town Center Mall on the evening of September 14, 2024. PJ was at the mall with his friends, eating at the food court, when the incident occurred. His mother, Bianca Cooper, had dropped him off at the mall earlier that evening, and about two hours later, she received a call from her daughter informing her that PJ had been shot.
The shooting took place just after 7 p.m.
outside the Red Robin restaurant at the mall. PJ was shot in his upper body and was pronounced dead at 8:22 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
PJ was described by his family as a good kid who stayed out of trouble. He was an honors student at Jefferson High School, where he was passionate about basketball, video games, and building LEGOs, a hobby he continued into his teenage years. He had aspirations to study engineering in college, having discussed his plans with his mother just two weeks before his death.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) reported that the gunfire followed a fight that broke out while those involved were eating. Initially, two people were detained for questioning, but they were later cleared of any involvement. As of the latest updates, no arrests have been made, and detectives are still interviewing multiple persons of interest.
PJ's family is deeply grieving his loss and is seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding his death. His mother, Bianca Cooper, has been in constant contact with the sheriff’s office for updates and has called for an end to gun violence, emphasizing that young children should not have access to guns.
The community has come together to support PJ's family, with a vigil held at Riverwalk Park in Tampa. A GoFundMe campaign has also been started to help with funeral costs and other expenses.
PJ's death has left a significant void in his family and community, with his mother and grandmother expressing their grief and disbelief at the loss of such a young and promising life. His family remembers him as a jokester with a big personality, who loved spending time with friends and family.
