The tragic killings of three Florida teenagers following a string of robberies and burglaries have shocked the community of Marion County.
Authorities have now apprehended two suspects, 12-year-old Christopher Atkins and 17-year-old Robert Robinson, and charged them with first-degree murder for the killings. Police are still searching for a third suspect, 16-year-old Tahj Brewton.
On March 30th, 16-year-old Layla Silvernail was found suffering from a gunshot wound and later pronounced dead in a local hospital. The following day, a 17-year-old boy was found on the side of the road with a similar fatal injury. On April 1st, 16-year-old Camille Quarles was found dead in the trunk of a car submerged in a pond.
Sheriff Billy Woods has cited the three teens’ association with a gang as likely the trigger of the crime, as they had been collaborating in the commission of several burglaries and robberies prior to their killings.
Woods commented that there was “no honor among thieves” after these three suspects had turned on the victims and ended their lives.
Layla Silvernail’s family has set up a GoFundMe page that covers funeral costs and plans to donate her organs while the other families are in their thoughts, and they hope that the third suspect is soon apprehended.