2 underage suspects nabbed Kill teen trio
In a small rural community in Ocklawaha, Marion County, a shocking and tragic event has unfolded, leaving three teenagers dead and resulting in the arrest of two young suspects. The victims were discovered in different locations last week, prompting an extensive investigation by local authorities.
Seventeen-year-old Robert Robinson and a 12-year-old boy, whose name is being withheld due to his age, were arrested in connection with the brutal slayings. Both face charges of first-degree murder. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods announced that a third suspect, 16-year-old Tahj Brewton, remains at large.
Sheriff Woods provided further details, explaining that the group of six teenagers, which included 16-year-old Layla Silvernail, were all together in her car when the tragic events transpired. Woods emphasized that Silvernail was present “on her own free will.”
Addressing speculation about the motive behind the crime, Woods said, “We had out there it was gang-related. We have nothing specific to say that it was a rivalry. However, in some shape or another, each was associated with a gang.” He also hinted that the group may have come together with the intention of committing a crime, adding, “They’re gangs because they commit crimes.”
The sheriff described the incident as a robbery gone wrong, with the young suspects turning on their three victims. “These three individuals turned on our victims and murdered them. They fled the scenes and left a lot of evidence in their wake,” Woods stated.
According to the sheriff’s office, a witness heard gunshots at the time detectives believe the three teenagers were murdered. Sheriff Woods refrained from discussing the exact motive behind the crime or revealing how the bodies were moved to separate locations.
The successful investigation was attributed to the collaborative efforts of the Marion County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies, the FBI, U.S. Marshal’s Service, State Attorney Bill Gladson’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Ocala Police Department, and crucial tips from citizens. Woods praised the teamwork, saying, “An almost perfect collaboration to come to a conclusion on a triple homicide in a week. I didn’t do a damn thing. And they stepped up to the plate.”
