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Father of slain Middleton High student prays for justice following Tampa shooting

 
Antwan Tremaine Jenrette Jr., 18, was shot and killed in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Tampa on Friday. His family was still waiting for information Saturday. Police have not named any suspects.
Antwan Tremaine Jenrette Jr., 18, was shot and killed in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Tampa on Friday. His family was still waiting for information Saturday. Police have not named any suspects.
Published June 18, 2017

TAMPA — Antwan Jenrette Jr. planned to make banana pudding for his dad on Father's Day.

The senior Antwan Jenrette was looking forward to seeing his eldest son, whom he called "Lil Twan."

Instead, the father learned his son was shot and killed in the Jackson Heights neighborhood late Friday. The 18-year-old was down the street from his mother's home, the father said.

"I don't understand why someone would take his life like that," he said.

On Saturday, the Jenrettes were still waiting on information from investigators. The details of the shooting were murky and police had not named any suspects.

Antwan Jenrette Sr., 39, said he hoped someone would come forward.

If the person responsible could shoot Lil Twan, the father said, "He could do it to anyone's child."

Tampa police received calls about shots fired at 7:20 p.m. near N 36th Street and E Shadowlawn Avenue. First responders found Antwan Tremaine Jenrette Jr. with a gunshot wound.

They rushed him to Tampa General Hospital, where police said he died.

Antwan Jenrette Jr. attended Middleton High School, his dad said, and would have graduated next year.

"He was a great kid," the father said. "Never been in no trouble, real humble."

Antwan Jenrette Sr. had sat down with his son recently to talk about what he might want to do after high school — maybe the Army or the Navy, the father hoped.

"He could have learned to be an engineer, a technician," the father said, trailing off.

Antwan Jennrette Sr. said he had not slept since the shooting. He spent Friday night sharing his grief on Facebook. He asked for prayers. He asked for his son back. He said he would not sleep until police found the shooter.

"I just want the youth to put the guns down," he said.

Homicide detectives are investigating leads, Tampa police said, but ask anyone with information on the shooting to call (813) 231-6130.

Contact Sara DiNatale at sdinatale@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8862. Follow @sara_dinatale.