BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A traffic stop led to the arrest of a man wanted for the murder of a 15-year-old girl in Brevard County, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Saturday night, deputies were conducting a traffic enforcement when they stopped a car going more than 105 mph on Interstate 4.
Deputies identified a passenger as 20-year-old Jonterich Smith, who was wanted by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in connection with a shooting that occurred last week.
According an arrest affidavit, around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6, BCSO’s Communication Center received multiple calls regarding a shooting in front of Anchors Seafood & Chicken in Cocoa.
At the scene, deputies said they observed two men with gunshot wounds outside the front of the establishment, and an unresponsive 15-year-old girl with multiple gunshot wounds sitting in a white sedan parked in front of the restaurant.
The victims were taken to a local hospital where the teen girl later died from her injuries.
Surveillance video from nearby businesses showed multiple suspects arriving in a black Dodge Durango. The suspects then exited the vehicle and began exchanging gunfire between the two men, firing in the direction of the white sedan. The Dodge then fled the scene.
The affidavit said that Brevard County investigators tracked the vehicle to Smith’s home using license plate readers. There, they found the Durango with bullet holes and broken rear windows.
On Saturday, Oct. 11, Volusia County deputies apprehended Smith, who was headed to a concert in Orlando.
The deputies arrested Smith along with the driver of the vehicle and conducted a search, during which they found two firearms – a handgun with an extended magazine and an AR-15 style pistol.
Smith is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The sheriff’s office is still searching for Xazavier Butler, who is also wanted in connection with the shooting.
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