Two teenagers in Florida have been arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder following the brutal killing of a 14-year-old girl, whose body was discovered in a wooded area after being set alight.
A Grisly Discovery in Pace
Danika Troy, aged 14, was found dead on Tuesday in the community of Pace, Santa Rosa County, close to the Alabama border. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a passerby made the grim discovery and alerted authorities. Troy had last been seen by her family on Sunday and was officially reported missing the following day.
The investigation swiftly led to the arrest of two local teens: 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins and 16-year-old Gabriel Williams. Both are now in custody, held by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice on charges of first-degree premeditated murder.
Alleged Premeditation and Extreme Violence
Sheriff Bob Johnson outlined the horrific allegations at a press conference on Thursday. He stated that the pair are accused of luring Troy into a wooded area, where she was shot multiple times. Following the shooting, her remains were deliberately set on fire.
Investigators believe the firearm used in the killing was a handgun stolen by Williams from his own mother. While a clear motive remains elusive, Sheriff Johnson was unequivocal about the intended legal path for the suspects. "There's not a clear motive, but I can tell you this: we're going to be hopefully working with the State Attorney's office to get these individuals charged as adults," Johnson said. "You do an adult crime, you need to do adult time."
Chilling Details from Witnesses and Documents
According to police reports obtained by the Pensacola News Journal, a cooperating witness provided disturbing insight into the crime. The witness claimed Blevins stated the "initial plan was to shoot Danika once, but Gabriel continued to shoot." Blevins then allegedly told the witness they "burned Danika's body and left the area."
In statements to investigators, Blevins claimed he had a falling out with Troy during the Thanksgiving break, blocked her on social media, and had not spoken to her since. Williams reportedly told police that Troy had made hurtful comments to him, calling him "worthless and a gang-banger," which had upset him.
The case has sent shockwaves through the local community and raises profound questions about juvenile violence and premeditation. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice have been contacted for further comment, while attorneys for the accused have not yet been publicly identified.
