Authorities recently announced that two juveniles have been taken into custody in connection with the shooting deaths of three teenagers. Moreover, a third underage suspect remains at large and is being sought by law enforcement.
Here is everything you need to know.
Three teens are killed following a suspected gang-linked homicide
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office took to their Facebook page on 7th April to confirm that they have charged two teen boys with first-degree murder.
In addition, the juveniles 12-year-old Christopher Atkins, and 17-year-old Robert Robinson are arrested in connection with the killings that happened between 30th March and 1st April in Ocklawaha.
Meanwhile, the post also revealed that a third suspect named Tahj Brewton who is only 16 years old is currently being sought by authorities.
Besides that, Layla Silvernail, Camille Quarles, and an unidentified 17-year-old boy were found shot to death in three separate locations.
Further, investigators claim that they think the three victims were supposedly inside Silvernail’s 2015 Chevy Cruze before their lives were snatched. Regardless, it remains unclear whether the three victims had been shot at the same time.
Sheriff Billy Woods gives his take on the trip homicide of teenagers
Marion County Sheriff Billy Wood addressed the three alleged killers during a press conference on Friday. Additionally, he said that the suspects and the three dead teenagers were seemingly involved with a burglary gang.
He said, ‘There’s no honor among thieves. At some point, these three individuals turned on our three victims and murdered them.’
He continued, ‘This investigation has been a success because of several factors. Our law enforcement partners with the FBI, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, my deputies, detectives, and forensics professionals, and finally, our citizens who provided numerous tips all along the way.’
Sheriff Woods stated, ‘I’m counting on the arrest, and that’s what I’m looking for.’
He added, ‘Justice will be brought for the victims and the families.… I wish I could give a whole lot more information.,’
He went on to point out, ‘But I remind everybody the integrity of the case for us is vitally important so that when we do present it in a court. It does go before a jury. We have everything that we need to seal the case up.’
Woods also revealed that they got tips from members of the public and local and federal law enforcement who aided them to launch quick arrests.