TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Tallahassee Police Department is investigating after a boy was found dead in the 500 block of West Orange Avenue on Wednesday.
Officers responded to the area shortly after 9 p.m. on Wednesday and found a deceased juvenile male, now identified by family as 16-year-old Joshua Purcell, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
At this time, investigators are working to determine a suspect and motive for the shooting, which they say occurred in the parking lot at Bethel AME Church on West Orange Avenue.
Purcell was going into his junior year at Leon High School. He was also part of The Omega Lamplighters.
🕊~ #RestInPeace Josh AKA “Bobby Brown” ~ 🕊 It saddens us to say goodbye to one of our own brothers way to soon Joshua...
Posted by Omega Lamplighters on Thursday, July 16, 2020
"Chief Revell extends his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. TPD's victim advocates are assisting the family, and Leon County Schools has grief counseling available for both students and staff," TPD's release read.
Investigators are interviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence from the scene and social media, and completed a canvas of the surrounding area.
If you have additional information that could assist in this investigation, including video of the area from a home security system, call 850-891-4200 or Crime Stoppers at 850-574-TIPS (8477).
