TAMPA, Fla. -- A mother is demanding justice after she said her teen son was shot to death with a BB gun.
Camisha Denny said 17-year-old Ivan Johnson II was known for playing keyboard at church, making people smile and dreaming of becoming an anesthesiologist.
"If we can just sum it up in a nutshell, he was an amazing young man. Caring, very caring, had a heart for the people, loved God, he was a servant when it came to the kingdom of God," Denny said.
Denny said the last thing she heard her son say to her, was to be safe, he'll see her when he gets back and that he loved her. She believes he was going to the store, getting a ride with two kids he had spent time with during the week and their father, though she said they didn't know the parent.
"We need to get justice we need to have answers nobody’s giving us the correct answers it does not make sense," she said.
Tampa Police said February 1, Johnson was in the front passenger seat of a car. It was driven by a man whose 8-year-old son and 10-year-old step-son were seated in back. The driver stopped at an ATM on North Westshore Boulevard. Investigators said the 8-year-old was reported to be moving a loaded BB rifle when it accidentally fired. It hit Johnson in the eye.
Johnson was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
"That gun was out. Which means he was playing with this. This doesn’t seem like this was an accident, this seems like it was intentional," Denny said.
"We understand they’re children but I think because of the negligence of the father... charges should be brought up to the father or parents of the children because that was his fault that the child got the gun," said Ivan's stepfather, Solomon Denny.
Police said it is still an active investigation and that no charges have been ruled out. They expect to meet with the state attorney's office soon, who would decide if charges would be filed.
Denny is also reminding other parents about BB guns.
"This one here took the life of a child and so let’s be more mindful of what tools what things we’re putting placing in our children’s hands," she said.
Denny said her family isn't angry, but hurt and grieving.
"We understand that forgiveness needs to take place but we also understand that something has to be done," she said.
Now they wear heart necklaces, in honor of Ivan and his gift of life through organ donation. Denny said he helped nine people.
"Love on your kids hug them just a little tighter because tomorrow’s not promised to anyone," she said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Johnson's family.
