Orlando, Florida – A 15-year-old is facing adult charges after deputies say he shot a bicyclist in the head during a gathering inside a parked van, moments after smoking marijuana with friends. The victim, a 17-year-old, died at the hospital. The shooter turned himself in later that evening.
Incident overview
Deputies say the shooting happened on Sept. 26 around 6 p.m. in the area of the 4900 block of Keith Place. According to an arrest affidavit, Tommy Lagree Jr., 15, had been inside a parked van with at least two others, smoking marijuana. While inside, Lagree reportedly pulled out a Taurus 9mm handgun he had tucked in his waistband and began showing it to those around him.
How the encounter turned deadly
The affidavit states that 17-year-old Jahriel Huertas approached the van during the gathering. Investigators say that at some point during the interaction, Lagree fired the gun, hitting Huertas in the head. The teens inside the van then ran from the scene, leaving the victim where he fell.
When deputies arrived, they found Huertas “lying on the roadway on top of a bicycle suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.” He was transported to a nearby hospital but did not survive.
What witnesses told deputies
According to the affidavit, multiple witnesses saw several individuals running from the parked van immediately after the shooting. A law enforcement helicopter tracked some of the teens to a residence nearby. Deputies responded to that location and detained at least two individuals who were present before the gunfire.
One detail from the affidavit highlights the scene’s urgency: witnesses described Huertas on the ground with the bicycle underneath him, consistent with deputies’ initial observations.
Teen suspect arrived with an attorney
Not long after the shooting, Lagree voluntarily arrived at a sheriff’s office location accompanied by his attorney. The attorney informed deputies that Lagree had shot someone and was turning himself in. The Taurus 9mm handgun believed to be used in the shooting was also surrendered and seized.
Two witnesses who had been inside the van identified Lagree as the shooter, according to the charging document.
Charges and legal process
Lagree is charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a minor. Despite being only 15, he is being charged as an adult, a decision typically reserved for cases involving serious violent felonies.
He is expected to appear in court on December 1 as the case moves forward.
Unanswered questions and ongoing investigation
Detectives have not released information about a potential motive. It remains unclear whether the shooting was accidental, reckless, or intentional. The investigation continues, and additional details may be presented during upcoming court proceedings.
Community concerns and safety context
The case highlights ongoing concerns about teen access to firearms and the rise in youth-involved gun violence nationwide. Law enforcement agencies in many regions have reported increases in cases involving minors carrying or displaying handguns, often obtained through unsecured firearms in homes, straw purchases, or illegal trading.
In this incident, deputies say a routine gathering inside a van turned into a fatal encounter with seconds of misjudgment and unsafe handling of a weapon. The case underscores the risks associated with firearms in the hands of teenagers, particularly in environments involving drugs or peer pressure.
Conclusion
As Lagree awaits his first court appearance, investigators continue piecing together the events that led to a 17-year-old losing his life. More information is expected as legal proceedings move forward.
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