A Florida teenager, who was previously reported missing for over two years, has been accused of shooting and killing a hardworking FedEx employee in North Carolina. The victim, 23-year-old Christopher Piedra Santa Perez, was shot after completing a DoorDash delivery.
Gracie Elizabeth Landa, now 18, faces murder charges related to this incident. She disappeared from Tampa at 16 in June 2021 and was listed as missing by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
About a year after her disappearance, authorities believed she was in the Durham area, though her exact whereabouts were unclear until the murder charges arose.
On May 30th, around 12:30 a.m., Piedra Santa Perez and two women were in a car near a park when the shooting occurred. Two of the women were injured, but their conditions remain unknown.
Emergency services responded quickly after a 911 call, but unfortunately, Piedra Santa Perez was discovered dead in his car from a gunshot wound.
Surveillance footage from a nearby park showed the moments leading up to the shooting, wherein multiple assailants approached the car.
The confrontation was reportedly linked to a dispute over a romantic relationship, although the details of Landa’s involvement have not been disclosed in the warrant.
The victim’s mother shared that her son had just wrapped up a DoorDash shift with his girlfriend and was simply waiting in the car when the shooting erupted. “He wasn’t looking for trouble. I really don’t know why this happened. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Amalia Perez stated.
She also mentioned that the family frequently visits his grave as they cope with the loss, expressing how difficult this time has been.
Authorities have indicated there might be others involved in the shooting, and the victim’s mother remains hopeful they will face justice.
Christopher was notably a Southern High School graduate and worked at FedEx, delivering for DoorDash as a side job. His mother described him as a joyful person with a bright smile who brought happiness to those around him.
Randa is currently being held at the Durham County Jail without bond. She made her initial court appearance and is set to return for another hearing on September 11th.
