Teenagers Charged in Florida Murder
In a shocking incident, two Florida teens are facing accusations of killing a 14-year-old girl and then setting her body on fire. This tragic event occurred on a wooded boardwalk, and local authorities have described the murder as “horrifying.”
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson informed the media that the victim has been identified as Danica Troy. Her mother reported her missing, thinking she was a runaway, just a day before the body was discovered.
“Unbeknownst to her mother, Danica was murdered last night,” Johnson stated during a press conference.
A passerby stumbled upon Danica’s remains in the woods near Kimberly Road in Pace, approximately 26 miles northeast of Pensacola, and promptly contacted law enforcement.
Details on the Suspects
Authorities quickly identified the suspects as 14-year-old Kimari Blevins and 16-year-old Gabriel Williams, both of whom were taken into custody shortly after the discovery.
“This is where things get really scary,” said Sheriff Johnson, emphasizing the nature of the crime.
Reports indicate that Williams allegedly took a gun from his mother before shooting Danica. Johnson expressed his disbelief, saying, “Killing a 14-year-old is bad enough. You’re 14. You’re 16. After shooting her multiple times, they set her on fire.”
Both Blevins and Williams are charged with premeditated first-degree murder, and authorities plan to charge them as adults due to the severity of the crime.
Ongoing Investigation
Investigation efforts continue to uncover the motive behind this incident. “They are being questioned, but there is no legitimate motive because the motive they are giving is inconsistent with forensic science and the facts of the case,” Johnson noted, emphasizing the complexity of the investigation.
Interestingly, Johnson mentioned that Blevins and Williams had known Danica since their school days and hinted that the suspects may have had prior encounters with law enforcement. However, he couldn’t confirm if they had been arrested before. Currently, they are being held in the Juvenile Justice Department.
Johnson expressed his dismay at the scene saying, “You don’t want to go out and see a kid with burns and bullet holes. That’s not what you sign up for.”
As of now, no parents have been charged in connection with this crime. The sheriff’s office is collaborating with the state’s attorney to oversee the prosecution of the two teenagers as adults. “If you’re going to commit an adult crime, you have to serve adult time,” Johnson concluded.
