Tavares Demeico Benjamin Jr., affectionately known as "TJ," was a 21-year-old resident of Tampa, Florida, who tragically lost his life to gun violence on May 29, 2023. The incident occurred on Memorial Day afternoon on North 20th Street in Tampa.
TJ was described by his mother, Michele Mosley, as a young man with a big heart who always ensured everyone around him was taken care of.
He was a hard worker, having been employed at PDQ and, more recently, with the United States Postal Service. TJ attended Gaither High School in Tampa and was deeply devoted to his family, particularly his mother, whom he loved and adored immensely.
The circumstances of TJ's death are particularly distressing. According to his mother, TJ was shot by his own father. The incident began when TJ's father demanded $25 from him, leading to a confrontation. TJ sent a video to his mother moments before the shooting, and shortly afterward, his father called Michele to inform her that he had shot TJ. Despite efforts to save him, TJ died at the hospital due to a bullet wound that entered through his shoulder and into his chest.
TJ's father is currently being held on a $50,000 bond, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, although he has not been charged in connection to TJ's death. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the incident.
The community and family of TJ have been deeply affected by his loss. A funeral fundraiser was organized to help cover the costs of his funeral, as the family had limited funds to give him a proper service. The fundraiser aimed to honor TJ's memory and support his mother and siblings during this difficult time.
TJ's family and friends will miss him immensely as they begin the process of healing without him. A service was planned for him in Tampa, and the community has been encouraged to support the family through donations and prayers. TJ's death has left a profound impact on those who knew him, highlighting the senseless nature of his loss and the need for justice and healing.
