The Marion County Sheriff’s Office just announced that it has arrested two juveniles, one of whom was just twelve years old, in connection with a triple homicide in the rural county in which three youths killed three other adolescents, including to girls. One suspect, also a juvenile, has not yet been caught.
Speaking about those arrests during a press conference, the Marion County Sheriff, Billy Woods, said, “There are individuals out there viewing…who want to blame the one thing that has no ability or the capacity to commit the crime itself, and that’s the gun. These individuals committed the crime.”
Woods said that the two juveniles who were arrested and the one who is still on the lam “fled the scene but left a lot of evidence in their wake.”
Continuing, he added that all the suspects involved were affiliated with gangs, saying, “Each and every one of them in some shape way or form was associated with a gang. There is no honor among thieves, and at some point, these three individuals turned on our three victims and murdered them.”
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office posted about the remaining suspect in the investigation on Facebook, saying:
UP TO A $10,000 REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF TAHJ BREWTON
In partnership with the United States Marshal’s Service and the Florida Sheriff’s Association, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest of Tahj Brewton. The United States Marshal has offered up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of Brewton. In addition, the Florida Sheriff’s Association Criminal Apprehension Assistance Program has also offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Brewton is wanted in connection with the homicides that took the lives of three juveniles in Marion County on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in the area of Forest Lakes Park. MCSO Major Crimes Detectives developed three suspects in the homicides, Robert Le’Andrew Robinson, Christopher De’l Atkins, and Tahj Brewton. Robinson and Atkins have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Brewton is still at large. This is where we need your help.
In addition to being wanted in connection with these homicides, Brewton has active juvenile custody orders (which are what arrest warrants are called in the juvenile justice system) for several felony offenses, including carjacking with a firearm, aggravated assault, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer, and tampering with an electronic monitoring device. These are other crimes committed by Brewton and are not connected to the Forest Lakes Park homicide. Brewton should be considered armed and dangerous.
A GoFundMe Fundraiser was created for Layla Silvernail. It says:
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, Layla Danielle Silvernail was found shot and left on the side of the road. She was transported to a local hospital where she remained in critical condition. Layla is showing no brain activity and her family has decided to donate her organs so she can help others in the wake of this tragedy.
Layla is sixteen years old and has been playing softball all her life in Recreation and Travelball. She is the definition of a team player and an amazing athlete. She loved the game of softball, was a great pitcher and could play any position her team needed. She uplifted all of her teammates! She has been taken from us too soon and will be greatly missed.
We are asking for help to fund funeral and memorial expenses for Layla’s Nana who has played a huge role in her life.
Featured image credit: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
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