14-year-old ‘getaway driver’ among 4 Jacksonville teens charged with triple murder

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Four teens are charged with murdering the deaths of a woman and two men in an apartment in northwest Jacksonville late Monday night. A young mother who recently worked for the prosecution service was one of the victims.

JSO Director of Investigation Mike Bruno said Wednesday that a 14-year-old girl previously convicted of a crime was driving the car that had fled the Calloway Cove apartments on West Moncrief Road after the shootings. Agents of the gang unit, who had worked in the complex and heard the gunfire, chased the car for nearly 3 miles before performing a PIT maneuver to crash it.

The girl, along with Keon Lester, 18, and Kyshawn and Owen Laureano Cosme, both 17, are all charged with second-degree murder and criminal conspiracy. Investigators have not yet determined who the shooter was or any connection between the accused and the victims.

The 14-year-old, who News4Jax doesn’t name because of her age, is also charged with complicity and fleeing from a law enforcement officer. Bruno said all four have been arrested before.

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Bruno said three pistols – one partially disassembled – were taken from the car, which police heard were stolen from Clay County.

Bruno said when the teens blurted out, “We didn’t shoot those people,” agents returned to the complex and searched them until they found a woman and two men dead in an apartment in Building E. Also in the apartment, police said that they have more than 100 oxycontin pills, a big ball of white powdery substance and a large amount of cash. Detectives believe theft was the motive for the shootings.

Police said these four teens committed adult crimes Monday night.

“This is not an arbitrary act of violence,” said Bruno. “It’s shocking and horrifying to see you have kids – 14, 17, 18 years old – who commit crimes like this in our town.”

The 18-year-old appeared in court on Wednesday and was released.

Jacksonville police no longer identify crime victims, but did say it was men 27 and 30 years old and woman 30.

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On a GoFundMe site, the female victim was identified as a former prosecutor who would “do whatever it takes for her son and family”. The family asked not to use her name.

“ If you really met (her), you loved her for who she was inside and out, ” her family wrote on the page. “May (her) character and love be with us forever and keep her spirit alive and positive.”

The triple shooting happened around 11:50 PM on Monday. A neighbor told News4Jax she heard what sounded like an estimated 20-30 gunshots at the complex early Tuesday.

The area has been struggling with violent crime for years. In 2015, Jacksonville City Council named 4229 Moncrief Road one of the top locations in the city where you were likely to fall victim to a violent crime.

In 2018, Millennia Companies purchased the complex at 4229 W. Moncrief Road and spent $ 10.6 million on renovations. A company spokesperson issued a statement to News4Jax in response to Monday’s violence.

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“We are saddened by this violence and sympathize with those affected by the incident,” the statement said in part. “Our property management and leadership teams are deeply involved in responding to this event and are working with law enforcement officials as they continue their investigation. For those who may need assistance during this difficult time, we have provided counselors for residents and staff. “

Anyone with information on this matter is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office by calling 904-630-0500 or by email at [email protected]. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.