Robert Robinson and Christopher Atkins: 2 boys aged 17 and 12 arrested, 1 suspect sought after killing 3 minors
MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA: Three teenagers were shockingly discovered shot to death last week in various locations in the rural Marion County village of Ocklawaha. Two suspects were detained as a result of the terrible incident: Robert Robinson, 17, and Christopher Atkins, 12.
According to Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, the suspects will face first-degree murder charges. The sheriff's office is offering up to $10,000 as a reward for information leading to the capture of a third suspect, 16-year-old Tahj Brewton, Wesh reported
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'They took a life without thought, they deserve the full extent of the law'
Sheriff Woods claimed at a press conference that the killings were the consequence of a tragic betrayal amongst a group of young people. "They took a life without thought, they deserve the full extent of the law," said Woods. Investigators were able to determine that this group of juveniles was involved in burglaries and robberies. The sheriff described the killings as a fallout within the group. "There is no honor among thieves," Woods said as per the media outlet.
'Heard four or five loud pops'
The shocking incident took place last Thursday night when 16-year-old Layla Silvernail was found dead on a road near a dumpster, not far from Ocklawaha. Soon after, a 17-year-old boy was found around half a mile away. Finally, another 16-year-old Camille Quarles was found shot to death in Layla's car, which was partially submerged in a pond. Although there were three victims in three different spots, Sheriff Woods confirmed that there was only one shooting scene. "I already told you of the witness hearing the gunshots, that is when all three were killed," Woods said. The arrest affidavit said that a witness "heard four or five loud pops," the report mentioned.
Woods further confirmed that the investigators have confessions for at least one of the three shootings. While some details are still being withheld as the sheriff's office builds its case, the gun used in the murders was taken during a car break-in, according to the sheriff. The arrest affidavit also revealed that on at least one phone, investigators found images of kids "...wielding a handgun pointed at the camera..."
'They're gangs'
Woods alleged that the group of six teens, including 16-year-old Layla Silvernail, were together in her car when the murders took place. He emphasized that "she was there of her own free will." While the incident was reported to be gang-related, Sheriff Woods stated that there is nothing specific to indicate that it was a rivalry. However, in some shape or form, each victim was associated with a gang, according to Woods. The sheriff alluded to the idea that they were all together to commit a crime. "They're gangs because they commit crimes," he said.
What was the exact motive?
At some point, the juvenile suspects turned on the three victims in what the sheriff described as a robbery. "These three individuals turned on our victims and murdered them. They fled the scenes and left a lot of evidence in their wake," Woods said. The sheriff did not go into detail about the exact motive or how the bodies were moved to separate locations.