Lake City, FL – A tragic shooting that claimed the life of 12-year-old Mariah Smith reached a major legal turning point after two Florida teens were sentenced to life in prison for unleashing a barrage of bullets into her home during a violent dispute with her brother. Authorities say the teens fired 25 rounds into the residence, killing Mariah as she sat on her family’s couch.
A Deadly Feud Turns Into a Fatal Attack
According to case details referenced in a courtroom report, 18-year-old Matthew Rice was sentenced Thursday after he was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Prosecutors said Rice’s DNA was later discovered on one of the firearms used in the attack.
A month earlier, 17-year-old Jayden Burch received the same life sentence after being found guilty of identical charges. A third teen, Jatarious Rashad Fluellen, who was only 14 at the time, is still awaiting trial.
Investigators described the motive as a simmering dispute involving Mariah’s older brother. What began as a personal grievance escalated into a fatal shooting that left the community grieving and searching for answers.
Law Enforcement Details the Evidence Collected
Detectives responded to the shooting shortly after 9 p.m. on August 24, 2023, on NW Long Street. Officers discovered Mariah with a gunshot wound to the head. First responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
Evidence recovered from the home included:
- 25 shell casings scattered outside the residence
- A laser sight attachment, which later tested positive for Rice’s DNA
Investigators stated that the teens walked to the Smith residence, opened fire, and then ran from the scene. Forensic analysis and witness interviews played a key role in connecting the suspects to the shooting.
Social Media Messages Strengthen the Case
During sentencing, prosecutors pointed to online messages as some of the most damning evidence. According to reporting from WCJB, investigators uncovered an Instagram exchange in which Burch discussed the shooting with a girl. In one message, Burch allegedly wrote:
“I know, I did it.”
Prosecutors said Burch even included a smiling emoji during the conversation and bragged about the killing within an hour of the incident. They added that he later attempted to cover his tracks by deleting messages—unaware detectives could still recover them.
Courtroom Statements Reveal Defiance and Lack of Remorse
Assistant State Attorney Sean Crisafulli argued that Burch was the driving force behind the attack.
“There is no homicide here without Jayden Burch,” Crisafulli told the court. “It was from his home the individuals left to do what they did. And it was his dispute with Mariah’s brother that sparked this.”
Despite the evidence against him, Burch insisted he was innocent, telling the court:
“I honestly did not take that young woman away from her family… Y’all got the wrong person; I’m innocent.”
Prosecutors disagreed, pointing to Burch’s online admissions and behavior as signs that he had no remorse for the deadly shooting.
Community Honors Mariah’s Memory
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Lake City renamed the street where Mariah was killed to Mariah Reginae Smith Forever 12 Memorial Street. At the dedication ceremony, her mother, Todneisha Filer, spoke about the lasting pain of losing her daughter and the need to address rising gun violence.
“No other family should have to go through what I’m going through,” she said. “I’m praying that we can stop the gun violence.”
A Continuing Case and Ongoing Healing
While Rice and Burch have been sentenced, the legal process continues as Fluellen awaits trial. The case remains one of the most disturbing examples of escalating youth violence in the region, fueled in part by easy access to firearms and the role of social media in amplifying conflicts.
As Lake City moves forward, the community continues to call for stronger interventions for at-risk youth and more resources to prevent violent disputes before they turn deadly.
Share your experiences in the comments below.
