LEESBURG, Fla. — Two 17-year-olds are now facing murder charges, three months after an 18-year-old was shot and killed inside his mother’s car at a Leesburg park, police said.
D’Yuntre Wright will face a 2nd degree murder charge, while James Fenderson IV will face 3rd degree murder and an unlawful possession of a weapon charge, investigators confirmed Monday.
Investigators say Fenderson arranged a meeting with Juan Gomez in Berry Park. An arrest affidavit in the case said Gomez intended to purchase a gun from Fenderson in exchange for $175 and some edibles.
According to a third person in the car who was not charged, Wright, sitting in the front passenger seat, pointed the gun at Gomez and shot him.
Witnesses said they heard a gunshot from the car, then saw three young people flee the scene. Investigators said security camera footage showed Fenderson carrying Gomez’s backpack.
Fenderson was captured in January, while Wright was arrested in February.
Fenderson’s affidavit said he denied involvement with the gun deal, though messages from his Instagram account showed him displaying loaded magazines similar to the weapon used to shoot Gomez.
Officers said Wright refused to speak to them.
Investigators said both Fenderson and Wright had extensive criminal histories as juveniles, including weapons and battery offenses. Court records showed Fenderson had just been released from custody days before the shooting.
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