ORLANDO, Fla. – The family of a man who was fatally shot in Orlando is urging anyone with information about the crime to step forward.
Branndon Jones, 23, was shot at 5:23 a.m. on Jan. 23 on 729 S. Westmoreland Dr., Orlando police said. In the moments after the shooting, he told a bystander that he didn't know who shot him.
Jones was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he remained in a medically induced coma until he was taken off life support on March 1, 37 days after the shooting, according to a news release.
In that time, no witnesses or video of the incident have been located.
Robert Jones, Branndon Jones' uncle, and Orlando Police Department Homicide Detective Michael Moreschi held a press conference Friday afternoon in an effort to convince anyone with information about the crime to step forward.
Robert Jones, who had been his nephew's legal guardian since he was 6 years old, said Branndon Jones was an honest, free-spirited young man who loved sports and going to church.
“This is a tragic, tragic loss to this society to lose somebody of this caliber. I assure you, you can't find one person who would have anything negative to say about the integrity of this man,” Robert Jones said.
He said there is only one silver lining to the loss of his nephew.
“Not only did he leave this world to go be with his mother, his kidneys gave life to somebody," Robert Jones said. "So he saved a life on his way out. So he’s smiling and I’m happy with that.”
Robert Jones said his nephew shouldn't have been in the neighborhood he was at when he was shot, but in no way did he deserve to be shot in the back. He urged the community to remain vigilant.
“You have a killer amongst you," Robert Jones said. "The way he killed Branndon, shooting him the the back, is a coward. This guy will kill again.”
Robert Jones hopes the shooter turns himself or herself in to police. There are currently no suspects in the death.
“This case really is going to be solved by someone out in the public who was knowledge of what happened,” Moreschi said. “We need the public’s help in this.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.