ORLANDO, Fla. – The death of a 17-year-old who was found dead Tuesday inside his Orange County home is now considered a homicide, deputies said.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office said Justin Machado was found dead by a relative on Lynchburg Court, located between I-4 and the Turnpike in Orlando.
Machado was pronounced dead at the scene, and deputies have launched a homicide investigation.
"Our homicide team came in. They have been doing some evaluations. We know that the victim was shot and based on the evidence that they have gotten back they believe this is a homicide and they need peoples' help," Orange County Sheriff's Office public information officer Jane Watrel said.
On Thursday, deputies said investigators were working to find a suspect.
"Our investigators are working tirelessly to find whoever did this," the Sheriff's Office tweeted. "We need the public's help. Please call Crimeline if you saw or spoke to him prior to his death Tuesday afternoon.
Investigators have not said how Machado was killed.
"By all accounts, we're told this was a good kid. He had no criminal record," Watrel said.
Deputies want to know what happened between 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, the last time he was seen, and 3:15 p.m., when his body was discovered.
"There is no information that is too small for us to follow up on," Watrel said.
Friends of the 17-year-old have set up a GoFundMe account .
They are still in a state of shock, telling News 6 it still doesn't seem real.
Anyone who was in contact with Machado after school hours or saw anything suspicious around the Lynchburg Court residence is asked to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.
Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.