Police: Three Florida teen shooting deaths are connected, suspects from “wannabe gang” may be responsible
Law enforcement officials in Marion County, Florida, reported this week that the shooting deaths of three teens found in different locations are connected and that there are multiple suspects being looked at who may be associated to a “hybrid” or “wannabe gang.” At the forefront of the investigation into the murders is Sheriff Billy Woods of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) headquartered in Ocala.
Sheriff Woods held an informational press conference that went out to social media outlets on April 3 and addressed the homicides.
Woods said that on Thursday night, his office responded to the area of Forest Lakes Park on SE 183rd Avenue Road. When deputies arrived on the scene, they located a female lying beside the road suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition and later identified as 16-year-old Layla Silvernail.
The following morning, deputies responded to SE 94th Street and SE 188th Court in reference to a 17-year-old male lying beside the road, and he was found to be deceased from a gunshot wound.
On Saturday, more deputies responded to the area of Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace in reference to information that Layla’s vehicle was partially submerged at the edge of a nearby body of water. Members of the MCSO Major Crimes Unit, Forensic Unit, and Underwater Recovery Team responded to collect evidence and recover the vehicle. After obtaining a search warrant for Layla’s vehicle, a search of her vehicle was conducted and a third victim was located. The 16-year-old female had also sustained a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead.
According to MSN, the 17-year-old male and 16-year-old girl who were found dead on Friday morning and Saturday afternoon will have their names withheld according to Florida’s Marsy’s Law. UPI reported the Sheriff as saying that although the shootings were all isolated, they were still connected. “All of our victims were known to know each other and were together leading up to the incident itself,” he said.
Woods did say that all victims were friends and that their deaths may be connected to what he called “wannabe gangs.”
“We have multiple suspects,” he said, adding “an abundance of evidence has been collected.” ~ UPI
Woods went on to say that his Major Crimes detectives are working around the clock continuing their homicide investigation and diligently following up on every potential lead. The Sheriff went on to say, “We are devastated for the families of these three teens, and we are dedicated to bringing whoever is responsible for these heinous acts to justice.”
“I know this is a rural, tight-knit community and many of you are very concerned. Someone out there knows something. Word travels fast but we want you to have accurate information and not rumors. Limited information is available right now because this case is active.”
If you have any information that may aid officials in bringing closure to this case, please call Detective Ryan Stith at (352) 368-3542. Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of Marion County at (352)368-STOP (7867) and reference 23-22 in your tip.
(Source and Sheriff Billy Wood cover photo, Image credit: MCSO)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
