Tiphne Hollis when shot when, according to police, someone shot the Ed White sophomore while she was riding in a car with her sister and friends on March 20, 2010.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office continues its investigation into the shooting death of a 16-year-old Tiphne Hollis, an Ed White High School student.
Tiphne was shot Saturday night while riding in a car with four family members on the Westside.
Family members described her today as a quiet and peaceful girl who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"I just went to praying, asking God to please don't let her die. Let her be a miracle. But she couldn't hold on," said Tiphne's grandmother, Eloise Whitaker.
Eloise Whitaker never thought she'd outlive a grandchild. "I thought losing my mom was hard, but losing my grandbaby is the hardest thing I've had to face."
Tiphne is one of Whitaker's 19 grandkids. She still can't understand how Tiphne could end up the victim of deadly gunfire.
"She couldn't stand pain. Tiphne was one of the most innocent and respectable teenagers you'd ever want to meet in your life," said Whitaker.
Justice Peoples, Tiphne's cousin, was one of five teenage girls riding in a vehicle on Calvin Street Saturday night. "I still can't believe it. I'm in shock. I cry every night," said the 14-year-old.
She said they spent the day shopping and planned to meet a friend. "We heard shooting. It was getting closer and closer," said Peoples.
Before they knew it, Tiphne was bleeding from her side and unconscious in the back seat. "We started screaming Tiphne's name. She wouldn't answer, but she had a pulse. We knew she was going to be okay," said Peoples.
But Tiphne wasn't okay. Family members learned later that she died at the hospital. "I don't want anybody to see that, when your child is slain that you have to go through the agony, the pain and the sorrow that we feel," said Whitaker.
Tiphne's grandmother said her death won't be in vain. She'll use it to try and save other children from violent deaths.
"It has been enough killing in Jacksonville and everywhere and we need for it to stop, and it will stop because we're going to walk these streets and we're going to pray it," said Whitaker.
Police don't have any suspects.
Today, officers walked the crime scene area near Calvin Street passing out fliers in hopes of someone coming forward with information about the shooting.
There were eight grief counselors on hand at Ed White High to help students and staff cope with the loss. Family plans to hold a candlelight vigil Tuesday night where the shooting took place.
If you know anything that can help police, call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. You don't have to give your name and you could get a cash reward.
First Coast News