Florida police announced on Friday the arrest of two minors in connection to a triple homicide that left three teenagers dead in a rural area of the state last week. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods emotionally revealed that the victims and the alleged killers were acquainted, and the group had been participating in burglaries before the violent events transpired.
Sheriff Woods stated, "There's no honor among thieves. At some point, these three individuals turned on our three victims and murdered them." The first victim, 16-year-old Layla Silvernail, was discovered dead on the side of the road on March 30. A 17-year-old boy was found the next morning, approximately half a mile away. The third victim, a teenage girl, was discovered in the trunk of Silvernail's car, which was submerged in a pond nine miles from where Silvernail's body was initially found.
Woods explained that the suspects fled the scenes, leaving behind substantial evidence. Although police did not provide a detailed timeline, they indicated that all six individuals were together in Silvernail's car at some point. A witness reportedly heard the fatal gunshots, suggesting that the victims were likely killed simultaneously.
One of the suspects, Robert Robinson, was arrested at a juvenile facility on Thursday after being apprehended for fighting at his school. Another suspect, Christopher Atkins, was arrested at his home. A third suspect, Tahj Brewton, is still at large.
According to Woods, all six teenagers had gang affiliations and had previously committed crimes together. While the exact motive for the killers turning against their victims is unclear, authorities believe robbery was likely involved. The firearm used in the murders had been stolen during a car burglary.
Sheriff Woods also took the opportunity to criticize calls for stricter gun laws, arguing that they do not prevent crimes. He said, "The gun laws we have in place didn't prevent it. Neither will any new ones. Because here's the fact. The bad guy is going to get the gun no matter what laws you have in place." Woods urged the public to provide any information about Brewton's whereabouts.