CORRECTION: This article was changed Thursday, May 27, 2021 to correct the spelling of Regina Hill's last name in several places. The story has been updated.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Police Department has made an arrest in the shooting death of City Commissioner Regina Hill's 16-year-old niece.

What You Need To Know

Police said 16-year-old Tavyiah King was in the wrong place at the wrong time when she was shot and killed May 2 while sitting in a car at a Wawa convenience store on the corner of John Young Parkway and Silver Star Road.

Investigators said Monday the shooting was gang-related.

King was the niece of Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill.

The Orlando Police Department says 16-year-old Tavyiah King was shot and killed by 18-year-old Jacarious Simpson. (Photo courtesy of Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill)

Jacarious Simpson, 18, was arrested Friday on charges of third-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.

Police said King was out with her friends at about 1 a.m. May 2 when she was shot while a passenger in a car.

Hill said her niece was not affiliated with gangs and that was her first night just going out with friends.

Detectives are still working the case and said they plan to make more arrests.

"There's always a concern for retaliation, which makes it very difficult for those to want to step forward. However, those who do come forward, those are our heroes in this community. Those are the people that really help us," Det. Annemarie Esan said.

Hill said she's praying for Simpson's family.

"The young man was a recent graduate with a full ride to college — scholarship — on the way to do great things, and (he made) one poor decision," Hill said.

Police said that in the first few months of this year, shootings overall are up almost 20% over last year.

Spectrum News 13 reported earlier this month that the City of Orlando is expanding the Parramore Kidz Zone to three more neighborhoods. It's a program designed to help decrease arrests and teen pregnancies by increasing learning opportunities.

If you have any information about this case, you can anonymously report it to Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). You can also leave a tip online.