Fundraiser Benefits Tampa Shooting Victim’s Family

Tampa, FL — Marquette Dames loved to eat rib eye steaks, enjoyed baking cakes and spent most of his time off from work with his young children.

Dames died last week after an unidentified man opened fire on him on a Tampa street. Dames was just 24.

As police continue to search for the suspect in the July 6 shooting, Dames’ friends and family are coming together to raise money to provide him a proper funeral. They’re also hoping to raise money to benefit Dames’ children, who range in age from 2 to 5.

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“Marquette was gunned down on July 6th 2016 by a complete stranger,” Solomon Dames, Marquette’s younger brother wrote on GoFundMe. “Marquette was a very loving person. He would take the shirt off his back and give it to a person if it was necessary.”

“Marquette Dames was a loveable, caring and respectful man whose life ended too soon,” Vilencia Turner, Marquette's girlfriend, told Patch. “He was raised in the church and believed in helping others.”

The GoFundMe campaign has a goal of $50,000. It was created two days after Dames’ death.

“My brother was taken from this world before he could fulfil his dreams,” Solomon wrote. “He wanted to go to the military, but he could not due to medical conditions. Due to his untimely passing, we are in desperate need to raise funds for his funeral expenses and to set up a trust fund with any remaining funds for his children.”

To donate to the campaign, visit GoFundMe online.

The hunt for the man responsible for Dames’ death remains active. Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Tampa Police said Dames was near the intersection of Fowler Avenue and 15th Street around 10:30 a.m. July 6 when a man shot him and then rode off on a bicycle. The bicycle was found abandoned later in the day, but the suspect has not been identified.

Dames was taken to a local hospital after the shooting, but died later that day from his injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Photo courtesy of Vilencia Turner