A 14-year-old boy is in custody after allegedly shooting and killing his parents in a devastating act of family violence that occurred early Monday morning in Clay County.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the suspect, identified as Trevor Lee, 14, called 911 just after midnight to confess that he had killed his parents.
Sheriff Michelle Cook confirmed in a press conference that the teenager stated he had walked more than a mile to a nearby church and would wait there for deputies to arrive.
Deputies responded immediately to both the church and the family’s home on Silver Point in Middleburg. Upon arrival at the church, law enforcement took Trevor Lee into custody without incident. At the residence, deputies discovered the bodies of David Lee, 44, and Brandi Smith, 45, both of whom appeared to have died from gunshot wounds.
“Just after midnight this morning, our 911 communication center received a call from a young man who stated he had just killed his parents,” said Sheriff Cook during Monday’s briefing. “He stated that deputies could find his parents at the house and that he had walked just over a mile to a church… to wait to be taken into custody.”
Authorities have not yet released a motive for the killings. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether the teenager will be charged as an adult.
This incident has left the Middleburg community in shock, as residents and officials alike grapple with the horror of such a crime allegedly committed by a minor. Law enforcement has not indicated whether there was any history of domestic issues or warning signs in the home.
No additional information about the weapon used, the source of the firearm, or the timeline leading up to the shooting has been released.
Legal analysts note that the case raises difficult questions about how the juvenile justice system handles extreme cases of youth-perpetrated violent crime.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a family crisis or is concerned about youth violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or the National Youth Crisis Hotline at 1-800-448-4663.
