Skykeem Pitts, a 21-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on September 28, 2014, in Haines City, Florida. Pitts, a former standout football player at Ridge Community High School, was attending a community event known as "Chunky Sunday" when the incident occurred. The event, held at Boomerang Park, was a popular gathering spot where people socialized, listened to music, and partied.
On that fateful night, a single bullet entered Pitts' right upper back, traveled across his upper body, hit his heart, and ultimately ended his life.
Pitts had a promising football career, having been named player-of-the-year by PolkPreps.com in 2012. He had received scholarship offers from several universities, including Tennessee and Western Kentucky, and had signed a letter of intent with Marshall University. However, a 2013 arrest, which was not prosecuted, derailed his plans, and he eventually played at Georgia Military College before leaving the school a few months prior to his death.
The investigation into Pitts' death revealed that the shooting occurred near a lot situated between a barbecue restaurant and a building housing Faith Kingdom Church and a barber shop. A crowd had gathered there after the "Chunky Sunday" party. Witnesses reported that Pitts was with Harold Lavon Carter Jr., a 20-year-old African American male from Davenport, Florida, at the time of the shooting. Carter was later arrested and charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and giving law enforcement a fake ID.
According to the Haines City Police Department, Carter exchanged gunfire with Jozeff Turpin, a 23-year-old African American male from Haines City, during the incident. Turpin, who was also injured in the shooting, claimed that he was approached by four men who began shooting at him. He returned fire after finding a gun on the ground. Turpin was later arrested for possession of a deadly weapon by a convicted felon.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing as law enforcement officials continue to piece together the events that led to Pitts' death. The tragic loss of Skykeem Pitts has left a lasting impact on his family, friends, and the Haines City community.
