Share and Follow
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., (WFLA) — The St. Petersburg Police Department said a man has been charged with murder after a shooting earlier this month that killed a young father while his 1-year-old daughter was in the back seat.
The victim’s family told 8 On Your Side that they are grateful to St. Pete police for bringing justice for 21-year-old Tyrone Howard, but at the end of the day, all they want is their loved one back.
“I’m glad justice has been served and that they got him,” the victim’s sister, Ciara Jackson, said.
Howard was shot and killed on September 7, with his daughter in the back of his car.
“My granddaughter seems very inconsolable,” Howard’s mother, Melissa Jackson, said. “At such a young age, they do know their mother and father. She points to the pictures and says ‘dada.'”
On Monday, St. Pete Police arrested Jamal Black, who is now facing a second-degree murder charge.
Police said Howard was shot while driving, which caused him to crash into a parked car at an auto repair shop on Emerson Avenue South.
“Detectives were able to find communications between the victim and the suspect. They were planning to meet that day and do some kind of drug exchange. Once they met, something happened, an altercation had occurred that ultimately ended up in the life of Tyrone Howard,” SPPD spokesperson Ashley Limardo said.
Howard’s family said even though this does not bring Tryone back, they are grateful an arrest has been made.
“Just relieved to have him off the streets, we don’t have to worry about him harming no one else,” his father, Tyrone Howard Sr., said.
Howard’s family said in addition to his young daughter, he has a baby boy on the way, who will be here in two months.
They said the situation is tragic and his children will no longer be able to experience the love of their father.
“His daughter is so young, she’ll have pictures and videos of him, like we all will, but her and her brother won’t be able to grow up with their dad, won’t be able to see him. Yeah, the guy is locked up, and he won’t be able to do this to anybody else, but at the end of the day, all we want is Tyrone,” Ciara Jackson said.
Howard’s family said they will be participating in a walk on Wednesday night to help end gun violence and raise awareness for gun owners. That will take place in St. Pete at 1952 24th Street South from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
