Two Florida teens allegedly lured a 14-year-old girl into the woods, where they fatally shot her and set her body on fire after an argument that started online.
Danika Troy was last seen by her mother on Nov. 30 and was reported missing as a runaway the next morning around 7 a.m., Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said at a Thursday press conference, according to the New York Post.
“Unbeknownst to the mother, Danika was murdered the previous night,” Sheriff Johnson said.
Troy’s body was discovered in a wooded area off Kimberly Road in Pace, Florida — about 17 miles north of Pensacola — around 11 a.m. on Dec. 2. Teenagers Kimahri Blevins, 14, and Gabriel Williams, 16, were quickly identified as the main suspects and charged with first-degree premeditated murder.
Authorities believe Troy was shot multiple times before her body was set on fire.
“This is where it gets really horrific,” Johnson said.
“It’s bad enough you kill a 14-year-old, you’re 14, you’re 16, shoot her multiple times, then they set her on fire.”
Police said the three teens knew each other from school and had a falling out over Thanksgiving break.
According to a witness, Blevins admitted that he and Williams “planned the murder of Danika,” initially intending to shoot her only once, Law & Crime reported per the New York Post, citing an arrest affidavit.
Williams is accused of escalating the attack when he and Blevins burned Troy’s body after the shooting. That night, Blevins was caught sneaking back home around 11 p.m., telling his mother he had been out smoking, though she noticed nothing to support that claim, the outlet reported.
When questioned, Blevins admitted he and Troy had recently fallen out and that he had blocked her on social media. Williams became emotional during his interview, saying the girl had upset him before he was taken into custody. Investigators say there is still no clear motive, as the teens’ stories do not match the evidence.
Both suspects have had previous encounters with law enforcement, though officials did not share details about any past arrests.
Officials said they have not ruled out the possibility of charging any of the parents, noting that the investigation is still ongoing. Both teens are currently held in juvenile detention.
A GoFundMe has been created to help cover funeral expenses and support Danika Troy’s family during this devastating time. Danika, just 14, was tragically shot and killed. The family is grieving deeply, and any support — whether donations or prayers — is appreciated.
