Two boys, ages 12 and 17, have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of three teenagers in Ocklawaha.
In a press conference that was held on Friday morning, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods announced that investigative techniques and tips from citizens have led to the arrests of 12-year-old Christopher De’l Atkins and 17-year-old Robert Le’Andrew Robinson.
A third suspect, identified as 16-year-old Tahj Brewton, remains at large, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
“This investigation has been a success because of several factors,” stated Sheriff Billy Woods. “Our law enforcement partners with the FBI, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, State Attorney Bill Gladson’s Office, FDLE, the Ocala Police Department, my deputies, detectives, and forensics professionals, and finally, our citizens who provided numerous tips all along the way.”
Sheriff Woods stated that all three suspects are associated with a gang, and they were involved in crimes that included burglaries and robberies. The sheriff added that the three suspects knew the victims for a “short time,” and the suspects proceeded to “turn” on the victims at the time of the fatal shootings.
On Thursday, March 30, shortly after 10:50 p.m., MCSO deputies responded to the area of Forest Lakes Park on SE 183rd Avenue Road in Ocklawaha in reference to an injured female who was laying on the side of the road.
Upon arrival, deputies located a 16-year-old girl, later identified as Layla Silvernail, who had been shot. She was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, and she was later pronounced deceased.
The following day, at approximately 7:55 a.m., deputies responded to the area of SE 94th Street and SE 188th Court in Ocklawaha in reference to another person who had been found on the side of the road. Deputies quickly arrived on scene and discovered the body of a 17-year-old boy who had been fatally shot. According to MCSO, the male victim’s name is being withheld at the request of his next of kin pursuant to Marsy’s Law.
On Saturday, April 1, at around 12:40 p.m, deputies received information relating to the homicide investigation and responded to the area of Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace in Ocklawaha. Upon arrival, deputies located Silvernail’s vehicle, a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze, which was partially submerged at the edge of a nearby pond.
The MCSO Forensic Unit and Underwater Recovery Team arrived at the location to process the scene and search for additional evidence. According to the sheriff’s office, the interior of the vehicle was searched, and the body of a deceased 16-year-old girl was found in the trunk. She was later identified as Camille Quarles.
During the press conference on Friday, Sheriff Woods stated that the two suspects in custody, Atkins and Robinson, have confessed to fatally shooting Quarles.
Sheriff Woods is asking for the community’s help to locate the third suspect, Brewton, who remains at large. If you have any information on Brewton’s current whereabouts, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office asks that you contact Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP (7867), and reference 23-22 in your tip.
GoFundMe accounts have been set up for the families of Layla Silvernail and Camille Quarles to help raise funds to cover funeral expenses.