GARNER, N.C. — A local police department is looking for outside help regarding the mysterious death of a Triangle teenager.

Police believe 16-year-old Joshua Davis was hit in the head Jan. 6 as he walked home along Hall Street, but they do not know if it was intentional. To help gather more information about the case, the Garner Police and State Bureau of Investigation will open a Crime Tip Hot Line on Feb. 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Investigators want to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard specific details related to the Davis case.

"Something that seemed unimportant at the time may be useful now," said Investigator Gordon Gay. "We have an obligation to verify all the facts currently in our possession."

"People who have called us before, anonymously or otherwise, are certainly encouraged to call us again if they have additional information, no matter how minor it may seem," said Gay.

According to investigators, even the most obscure detail can solve a case.

"Someone may not have shown up for work the next day (Jan. 7, 2004) or for several days. Someone may have acted totally out of character the days following Joshua's death. A scheduled pizza or household delivery that never arrived on January 6, 2004, or one that was rescheduled for unknown reasons, could prove useful," Gay added.

Investigator Gay went on to say some information provided thus far has been false or intentionally misleading.

"People have called us, unsolicited, and willfully provided false statements about the case," said Gay. "It can take time to uncover deception. This kind of behavior, for whatever reason, is counterproductive and can result in criminal charges if persons willingly provide false or misleading information," said Gay.

Gay would not comment any further on who may have provided false information or why.

If you have any information about the case, you are asked to call at

(800) 334-3000

or

(919) 662-5056

. Garner police are now offering $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case.