TAMPA, FL– A 7-year-old boy is dead after he was struck by a stray bullet during an argument over a jet ski. 

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. July 4th, along the Courtney Campbell Causeway west of Ben T. Davis Beach.

Authorities say two groups of people got into an altercation because at least one member of one of the groups was driving a jet ski recklessly while children were playing near the water.  

The argument continued to escalate and the two groups began shooting at each other. 

A 7-year-old and his grandfather, who fled to their vehicle at the time, were both struck with bullets. 

Authorities say the child was hit in the head and the grandfather suffered a gunshot wound to the hand by the same bullet while trying to shield the child. 

 The grandfather and the child were both rushed to the hospital where the child was pronounced dead. 

“I’m sure the young child was not the intended target. But, when folks are careless with their firearms and they let that anger take over, now we see what occurs,” Calvin Johnson, Deputy Chief of Investigations and Support said.

Officials are still searching for the parties involved. 

According to witness reports, two groups of Hispanic men were opened fire on each other.  

“The ones that were involved in this incident, we haven’t got too much as far as who they were, where they’re from, where they went,” Johnson said.

Anyone who believes they have information about this incident is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or submit an anonymous tip by contacting CrimeStoppers at 800-873-TIPS (8477).