TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – An 18-year-old is behind bars in connection to a deadly shooting that occurred at a parking garage back in May, according to Tallahassee Police.
Jeray Ellis, Jr. has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder, the police department wrote in a press release Wednesday evening.
Jeray Ellis booking photo(Leon County Jail)
Ellis Jr.’s arrest comes nearly four months after the shooting occurred on May 24 at a parking garage on Chapel Drive during the early morning hours. Three people were injured in the shooting, including 18-year-old Gavin Yates-Lyons.
However, nearly a week after the shooting occurred, Yates-Lyons died. He was shot less than 24 hours after graduating and he was signed to play football for Ball State University, according to WCTV’s previous coverage.
(WCTV)
Ellis Jr.’s arrest followed an extensive investigation, according to police.
Investigators determined multiple groups were at the parking garage for an “unsanctioned pop-up party” when gunshots rang out on several floors. Court documents show officers found dozens of bullet casings across at least three floors of t he parking garage.
Evidence shows Yates-Lyons had just arrived at the party when the shooting started and was shot while trying to leave, authorities said.
Ellis Jr., who believed the car was occupied by the person he was targeting, shot at Yates-Lyons’s car, per police.
According to court documents, Ellis Jr. was previously arrested on unrelated drug charges. Documents show he also had prior gun charges as a juvenile and was on probation until he turned 19.
Court records show Ellis is also facing two new firearm charges. He is charged with possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm by a minor. These charges stem from a video posted to social media of Ellis showing off a gun. Court documents show the video was posted just before Ellis turned 18.
This is an ongoing investigation.
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