By Curtis Krueger, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, August 14, 2010
TAMPA -- A teenager who was rolling dice on a back porch has died after being shot during a robbery.
Doctors told family members that Byron Patty Jr., 17, died Saturday morning, said his grandmother Michelle Patty.
In spite of the family's grief, Michelle Patty said she took some solace in knowing that her grandson's organs will be donated, so that "he will live on with somebody, with a kidney or heart."
Byron Patty was at a house in the 1900 block of E 24th Avenue, when a masked gunman approached, Tampa police said. The gunman demanded money and shot Patty's friend, 18-year-old Alonzo Jones, His injuries were not considered life-threatening. Michelle Patty said it appeared the bullet passed through Jones and went into her grandson's head.
Police arrested Reginald Jenkins, 17, running from the scene Friday night. Homicide detectives interviewed him and took him to the Orient Road Jail on attempted murder, armed robbery and other charges.