Arrests made in shooting of teen in South Bay

BELLE GLADE, Fla. - Residents who gathered for a 'Stop the Violence' gathering in Belle Glade Thursday night heard some unexpected news as the meeting began.

A lieutenant with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office announced that two arrests had been made in the murder of 16 year old James Demps who was walking down a street in South Bay Sunday night.

The suspects were identified as 17 year-old-Kareem Williams, 20-year-old and Dexter Dukes. Both face a charge of first degree murder.

Fighting gang violence was the reason Mayor Steve Wilson called the special meeting. 

"We've got to be involved... you go to these elementary schools and here these little kids talk about crime in their community little elementary kids," on person said.

Some say there are simply not enough activities for the young people of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay to participate in so they gravitate towards the streets.

"So guess who becomes the role models? Not Mr. Wilson, not Mr. Grear, not Mr. Martin... (city commissioner) it's the drug dealers," said another person.

There's a feeling that most crimes go unsolved because people don't speak up. Silence can be just as deadly as the bullets themselves.

"We need to cooperate with our Palm Beach Sheriff's Office... there's things out there to protect us, there's Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line," said one resident.

Dukes, who was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail, is expected to make an appearance in court Friday. Williams is being held in juvenile detention