A young mother from Tampa, Florida, was found dead Monday after what police believe was a targeted attack. Twenty-two-year-old Alana Sims' body was found outside of a vehicle where her 23-month-old son was sleeping. Her family publicly identified her Tuesday and revealed that Sims was five months pregnant. The family is left wondering who was after Sims and why they would take her life.
The Tampa Police Department discovered Sims' body on a residential street by a Ford EcoSport SUV. She had trauma to her upper body. Her son was sleeping in his car seat in the back seat of the car, unharmed. Police have launched a homicide investigation and are looking for leads on who killed Sims.
Sims did not live in the neighborhood where her body was discovered.
Police said a neighbor walking through the 10700 block of Pictorial Park Drive saw Sims unconscious in a grassy area near the road, Fox 13 reported. The neighbor promptly called 911. Police were on the scene at 10 p.m. Monday. Authorities believe her death was "a targeted murder."
Family members told the Tampa Bay Times that they are unsure why Sims was there.
"Shahlevi Sims said her daughter lived in the Carrollwood area, and the family doesn't know why she was in a neighborhood several miles away from home or who she might have met there. Sims said that her daughter wasn't seriously dating anyone," the news outlet reported.
Police are searching for a suspect.
Authorities are asking neighbors for help with any video surveillance they may have that might lead to a suspect, according to Fox 13. Neighbor Richard Theodore told the new outlet that his cameras captured the sound of gunfire, but the video did not show the shooting.
"You can hear what sounds to be like a pop or multiple. I don't know. I'm not an expert in video, but you can see the puppies get very animated," Theodore explained. "You cannot stop the bad elements even if we were to have a gated community. People will find a way to exploit it. And I think that was one of those cases that this community was exploited."
Sims had recently turned her life around.
According to her mother, Shahlevi Sims, her daughter was a devoted mother who loved her son and looked forward to her new baby.
"She no longer clubbed, she no longer went out to bars, she just loved spending time with her son," Shahlevi Sims told the Times in a phone interview.
Alana Sims' mother spoke to her the day before her body was discovered, and everything seemed fine. She planned on visiting her the next day. She described her as a kind soul willing to do what she could for others.
"She would do anything for you, always going out of her way," Shahlevi Sims said. "She never said no."
Her death is devastating to the community.
Tampa police spokesperson Crystal Clark told Fox News 13, "This is a complete tragedy. You have a child now who's without a mother because someone took her life while the child was sitting right there in the car behind her as it happened."
Her mother told the Times that they want justice and for the killer to be apprehended. All they can do now is move forward. When asked about Alana Sims' son, she said the little boy is too young to understand, and so far, he is OK. The toddler is staying with his grandmother.
The family has organized a GoFundMe account.
Alana Sims' mother created a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses. It has raised $10,000 of its original $4,000 goal. Family and friends left condolences for the family.
"I love you Alana, i wish this was a dream. I'm thinking of you mama Shahlevi, Im here anytime you need me and the family. I love you guys," a friend wrote.
"Truly sorry for your loss. I hope that you and your family find some peace," another comment reads.
The Tampa Police Department asks anyone with information to call 813-231-6130 or share a tip through TIP411, accessible through the TampaPD app.
