Man convicted in shooting death of Flagler County high school student athlete

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A Flagler County man pleaded guilty Friday to the murder of Curtis Gray, a popular Palm Coast student and athlete.

Marion Gavins Jr. was sentenced to 40 years in prison for first-degree murder and an additional five years for battery of a Flagler County detention deputy in June.

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Gavins was 17 years old when he shot and killed Gray, 18, at a strip mall off Belle Terre Parkway following an argument on April 13, 2019.

Investigators said Gavins originally traveled to the sheriff’s office with his mother to surrender.

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“I’m very proud of our detectives that did a great job investigating this case,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I hope the conviction and long prison sentence helps the Gray family find justice and some peace knowing this killer will never hurt anyone else again, although it will never bring Curtis home and our prayers continue to be with the Gray family and his friends. This sentence also sends a message that if you attack one of my detention deputies you will only serve a longer time in prison, where you belong.”

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Gray was a senior at Flagler Palm Coast High School where he ran track and played football.

At the time of his death, he was fewer than 45 days from graduation.

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