The family of a teenager who was gunned down in east Altamonte Springs is looking for answers as investigators search for the killer.

Tamar Harris, 15, was shot and killed Friday afternoon. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said Harris was riding in a car on Central and Merritt streets when someone fired shots at the car. Neighbors in the area told News 13 they heard at least eight gunshots and then ran out to see that the car had drifted into a light post.

Emergency crews found Harris in the street. He later died at an area hospital form a single gunshot wound.

Overcome with grief and visibly numb, Jeanina Washington was surrounded by family on Saturday.

"I couldn't sleep all night," said Washington, who is Harris' mother. "My family is incomplete right now."

Washington was surrounded by her three children, some friends and other family members as she talked about the moments leading up to her son's death.

"My son asked to sit in the car and listen to music," she said. "It never crossed my mind that he would take the car."

Washington said she received the call no parent wants to receive about 20 minutes later.

"My child, lying on the ground, dead," she said.

Harris was a student at Innovations Middle Charter School in Orlando. His mom said he loved working with cars, taking things apart and putting them back together. He was always kind and helpful when his family needed him most, his mother said.

"Just a few days ago, my car wouldn't start," Washington recalled. "My baby went to an auto place and got the battery. He figured it out and put the battery in my car by himself."

Harris' aunt, Tara Washington, added: "He was just living and we miss him. We want him back."

Harris' family wants to know what happened so they can try and gain some closure.

"I just want justice," Jeanina Washington said. "I just hope and pray that whoever did this to my baby — please come forward."

Investigators said they are processing the car for evidence and developing a suspect description. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).