A teenager from Florida is facing a felony murder charge following the death of a 65-year-old woman who was brutally assaulted and robbed during the holiday season. Antonio Gueits, 18, is accused of the fatal attack on Cerida Charon, which occurred in the early hours of December 26, 2024, as reported by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident, which was captured on surveillance footage, shows Gueits approaching Charon and striking her in the face, causing her to fall. While she lay unconscious, Gueits is alleged to have repeatedly stomped on her head, resulting in severe injuries including multiple broken bones and a brain bleed. He then stole her purse and fled the scene.
Sheriff’s deputies were alerted to the incident shortly before 7 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered a severely injured woman who had been brutally attacked and robbed. Gueits was identified as the suspect later that day and was taken into custody without any issues.
Court documents reveal that the surveillance footage shows Gueits approaching Charon while she was sitting on a bench in the University Community Park. After the initial assault, Gueits is seen rummaging through Charon’s belongings, taking her purse, and leaving the scene. He returned minutes later, moved Charon’s body, and took her shopping cart.
Following his arrest, Gueits reportedly confessed to the assault. He identified himself as the person in the surveillance video and stated that he felt good releasing his anger during the attack. Charon, who was able to respond to detectives’ questions at the hospital, had no memory of the incident. She passed away on March 16, leading to the addition of the murder charge against Gueits.
Gueits’ criminal history includes convictions for aggravated assault with a weapon, battery, and theft, according to the prosecution’s motion for detention. Court records indicate that Gueits is scheduled for a hearing on March 27.