19-year-old killed in St. Petersburg shooting

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - A 19-year-old man was shot and killed outside the Rajax Meat Market on Monday evening.

St Petersburg Police are searching for the gunman.

According to witnesses, the 19-year-old Emmanuel Isaiak Sims was shot while sitting in a car in the parking lot of the meat market along with two friends around 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Police said the suspect may have gotten into an argument with the Sims prior to the shooting.

Witnesses said the suspect walked over to the vehicle and shot into it aiming directly at Sims.

Several people in the packed parking lot called for help, but once emergency crews arrived on scene, they were unable to revive the victim.

Monica McIntosh, a family member on scene who identified herself as the victim's stepmother, said her daughter called her crying hysterically after learning of Sims' death.

"My daughter will never be the same again after tonight, nor will his other sisters and brothers. I mean, you don't come back. How do you rebound from this?" said Monica McIntosh.

Investigators do not believe the shooting was random.

"We do believe that this was directed specifically at this young man, and this wasn't some kind of random act of violence," said Assistant Chief Jim Previtera.

Officers worked Monday night to gather evidence in the parking lot, interview witnesses and search for video surveillance at the business and others nearby.

"The best evidence that we can have is an eye witness. If there is somebody that knows something, we need them to call us, we've reached out to a number of people in the crowd out here tonight, but obviously an eye witness is absolutely crucial to us," said Previtera.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact St Petersburg Police or provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay by calling 1-800-873-8477 (TIPS).