Plant City police have arrested Abraham Melendez, 22, in connection to the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy that occurred on Thursday.
According to police, Melendez, the 14-year-old boy and others drove to the area of West House Street and Lakewood Avenue at approximately 1 a.m. with plans to commit a robbery. During the robbery attempt, the 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old Hispanic male were shot. Melendez then drove them to South Florida Baptist Hospital.
The boy died from a gunshot wound to his upper body. The second gunshot victim sustained an injury to his upper body as well, and is being treated at this time.
Detectives charged Melendez with several crimes, including murder in the second-degree by a person other than a person engaged in a robbery and tampering with physical evidence.
He was booked into the Falkenburg Road Jail, where he is currently being held without bond.
“Our hearts go out to the family of the two individuals, our hearts break for them,” said PCPD Captain Al Van Duyne. “The loss of any life, let alone a young person, is tragic but incidents such as these provide the motivation needed to continue our hard work in bringing all people responsible to justice.”
Van Duyne said the investigation is still active and police are still searching for and investigating any new leads. Anyone with information is urged to contact PCPD Sergeant Gerald Baker at (813) 757-9200. Information may be provided anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS or crimestopperstb.com. Tipsters could be eligible for a cash reward up to $5,000.