Police identify the shooter as 15-year-old Orlando Valenzuela. He's charged with homicide. Fifteen-year-old Johnny Vasquez and 16-year-old Ashley Rios were in the car with Valenzuela and are charged as principles to homicide. All, police say, are associated with Sur 13, an area gang. Neighbors say the gang problems are getting worse.

Tammy Batten, parents live near victim
"It could have easily veered off and come hit one of our kids, I'm still shaking. I'm very upset about it."

The Sheriff says Sur 13 is one of 14 gangs in Manatee County, consisting of more than 600 members total. Fighting the problem, he says, is an uphill battle, improving after a gang crackdown several months ago.

Sheriff Brad Steube, Manatee County
"The drive-by shootings, gang related, have significantly decreased."

Try telling that to a grieving family forced to build a roadside memorial and a neighborhood dodging bullets and ducking for cover.

Tammy Batten
"I don't even want my son to be outside. How could it be under control? A 9-year-old boy just got shot it's not under control!"

Detectives have been looking for the occupants of the second car involved in the shooting, a Cadillac. They found it Tuesday afternoon and are working to determine if it was just on the receiving end of the gunfire, or if any shots were fired from it.