Suffolk County police are looking for the person who shot and killed Preston Gamble inside the Calverton Hills apartments.
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Gamble lost his life up the hill from where he lived just before 4 p.m. Wednesday. He was gunned down in broad daylight inside his own apartment complex.
On Thursday, evidence markers surrounded the spot where the Riverside High School sophomore was fatally shot.
"He was a great person, he had a big heart, he was fun, outgoing, respectful," said neighbor Shannon Hammonds.
Hammonds and her mother said they knew Gamble since he was 5 years old.
"He was a great kid, he was a lovable kid," said neighbor Paula Hofsiss.
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Neighbors say Gamble and their kids grew up together.
"He would always come to our house, we lived out here for about that time so he would always come over," Hammonds said. "Him and all his little friends coming around, always wanting something to eat or just to see the girls, playing outside."
Gamble leaves behind five siblings.
One parent told Eyewitness News they were at a school bus stop with other parents, waiting for their kids, when they say they saw four teenage boys arguing. Two of them started fist fighting, when one of the two boys standing to the side pulled out a gun and shot and killed Gamble.
"His brother came down from up the hill where it happened and banged on my door, looking for my daughter and my niece, and said that Preston got shot," Hammonds said.
As police search for the suspects, the victim's family and friends are continuing to search for closure.
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"He has my granddaughter's Sweet 16 party on Saturday, he's not going to be there for her," Hofsiss said.
Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call homicide squad detectives at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain anonymous.
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