A local family is pleading for answers and calling on the community to keep their loved one's homicide case alive.
According to police, 33-year-old Maurice Sutton was found shot to death in the parking lot of a day care near Panama Park in mid-January.
He was found by a passerby, who flagged down police near West 48th Street and North Main Street, near Northside Elementary School.
The family said he had plans to meet a friend but he never got on the bus he was planning to ride and never made it to the friend’s house.
“He left here at 10 to go catch the bus off of main street and he never made it to the bus," said Sheryl Sutton.
Maurice Sutton's mother said her son was known for always lending a helping hand and on Jan. 13, he was heading to help a friend with groceries. He never made it and the next day around 4 a.m. he was found shot to death in this day care parking lot. A month a half later, the family still doesn't know why.
There was no time day of night that you could not call on him. he would be there to help you, to support you,” Sheryl Sutton said.
Sheryl Sutton said her son had dreams of opening up his own restaurant and he'd just been accepted to the culinary arts institute. Now memories that this family said they will keep alive so Maurice’s children will never forget their father.
“How can I tell my 3-year-old nephew that his dad is dead? That you'll never see your dad again. How can I tell my 3-year-old nephew that?” Travis Sutton, Maurice’s brother said. “He was our provider. He was our protector. That's what you took from us. You took that from us and that's not right.”
If you have information about this case, you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.