RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Just days after turning 18, a young man was arrested in connection with a deadly shooting tied to a marijuana deal gone wrong in Riviera Beach.
The Riviera Beach Police Department (RBPD) said the deadly encounter took place on June 19, when officers responded to reports of a teen shot in the neck near 28th Avenue and Avenue S. The victim was found unresponsive beside a red Kia Optima — later identified as 18-year-old Elias Morrero — who was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center but did not survive.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the suspect, now identified as 18-year-old Fabien Lewis — whose birthday is listed as July 5, 2007 — used his girlfriend’s Instagram account to set up a drug transaction. Investigators believe Morrero thought he was meeting Lewis’s girlfriend before Lewis allegedly entered the vehicle and attempted to purchase $200 worth of marijuana.
In an interview with police, Lewis told investigators he entered Morrero’s car — but during the exchange — Lewis claims Morrero noticed a firearm partially exposed in his waistband and tried to grab it. A struggle ensued, and Lewis says the gun accidentally went off…