Additional Coverage:
- Florida teens fatally shot and burned girl, 14, in woods after she made ‘hurtful comments’ online (themirror.com)
PACE, FL – Two Florida teenagers have been arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl, whose burned remains were discovered in the woods of Pace. The arrests followed an alleged social media dispute that investigators believe escalated into a fatal encounter.
Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, were taken into custody Wednesday by Santa Rosa County sheriff’s officers. The victim has been identified as Danika Troy, 14. Authorities suspect the two boys lured Troy into the woods with the intent to kill her, reportedly after she insulted Williams on social media and blocked Blevins over the Thanksgiving break.
Troy’s mother reported her missing on Monday, stating she hadn’t seen her daughter since 10 p.m. Sunday and noting her electric scooter was also gone.
The following day, a passerby discovered a body in the woods. Officers responding to the scene found “multiple live ammunition rounds” near the charred human remains, as well as what is believed to be Troy’s scooter.
A shoe found on the body matched the description provided by Troy’s mother, and the remains were formally identified as Danika Troy on Wednesday.
Investigators spoke with witnesses who claimed Blevins confided in them, stating that he and Williams “planned the murder of Danika.” The initial plan, according to the witness, was to shoot Troy once, but the situation reportedly escalated to the point where her body was set on fire.
Blevins allegedly confessed to officers while in the back of an unmarked vehicle, after receiving permission from his mother and being read his Miranda Rights. He reportedly admitted that his last interaction with Troy was during Thanksgiving weekend, when they “had a falling out and he blocked her on social media.”
Blevins requested a lawyer when asked about what transpired in the woods. His mother told police she saw him “sneaking” back into their home around 11 p.m.
Sunday, claiming he had gone out to smoke a cigarette, though she did not detect the smell of smoke on him.
Following Blevins’ arrest, officers questioned Williams, who allegedly admitted at the police station that Troy had made “hurtful comments,” calling him “worthless and a gang-banger.” Williams was subsequently arrested.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson addressed the media, stating that while Williams “stole his mother’s handgun and shot Danika Troy,” the motive currently being investigated “doesn’t fit the forensics or any facts of the case.” He confirmed that the three teens were “friends, supposedly,” and indicated that the investigation is ongoing as facts continue to emerge.
Both Williams and Blevins are currently being held without bond at the Santa Rosa Juvenile Detention Center.