WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Danika Troy, 14, was found dead in a wooded area of Pace, Florida, with two teenage boys later arrested and charged with first-degree murder
The mum of a Florida teenage girl who was killed this week has spoken out following the arrest of two teen suspects.
Danika Troy, 14, was discovered dead in woodland near Pace, Florida, on Tuesday after her mum, Ashley Troy, reported her missing and a passer-by found her body, which had been burnt and bore gunshot wounds. Santa Rosa County police officers nicked and charged Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, with first-degree premeditated murder on Wednesday in connection with her death for allegedly enticing her to the woods, shooting her and setting her alight.
An investigation continues, though authorities believe the two lads planned the killing after the “supposed mates” had a public bust-up over Thanksgiving break, during which she allegedly insulted Williams and blocked Blevins online.
Troy’s mum, a devout Baptist, found it in her heart to show compassion for the boys, whom she appeared to describe as her daughter’s friends. The heartbroken mother told The New York Post: “I don’t blame those boys. I blame evil influence, I don’t hate them, I hate what they did to my baby.”
That said, she said she wants “nothing less than for them to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law” , reports the Mirror US.
A candlelit vigil is set to take place for the teenager at her family’s church, Avalon Baptist Church in Milton, on Monday night.”She was beautiful and loved Jesus,” Ashley said of her daughter. “If anything would make this sacrifice worth it, it would be leading others to Christ. ” The mum revealed that her church, Avalon Baptist Church in nearby Milton, has rallied around her family during this tragic time.
Following the discovery of her body, police initiated an investigation and interviewed witnesses linked to the crime who allege Blevins told them he and Williams “planned the murder of Danika.”
Blevins reportedly confessed to officers in the back seat of their unmarked car after his mother gave permission for him to speak with them and he was read his Miranda Rights. He claimed the last time he spoke to Troy was over the Thanksgiving weekend break.
He said he and Troy “had a falling out and he blocked her on social media.” He asked for a solicitor to be present after officers questioned what happened in the woods.
Blevins’ mother reported seeing her son “sneaking” back into their home around 11pm Sunday, claiming he had gone out for a smoke. However, she said she couldn’t detect any smell of smoke on him, which aroused suspicion.
Following Blevins’ arrest, officers questioned Williams, who reportedly confessed at the police station that Troy had made “hurtful comments,” branding him “worthless and a gang-banger.” He was subsequently taken into custody as well.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson suggested during a press conference that investigations are ongoing, as the details don’t appear to add up, though he confirmed the trio were friends, supposedly.
“The motive that we’re getting doesn’t fit the forensics or any facts of the case,” he stated, whilst disclosing that Williams “stole his mother’s handgun and shot Danika Troy.” Both teenagers are presently being detained at the Santa Rosa Juvenile Detention Center without bail.
