RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — Three minors have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl in Riviera Beach, according to the Riviera Beach Police Department. The U.S. Marshals Service took the suspects into custody for the Aug. 21 shooting, and all three now face first-degree murder charges.
Riviera Beach Police Chief Michael A. Coleman held a press conference Tuesday morning to provide more details on the case.
"This was a heartbreaking loss for her family, her friends, and our community," Coleman said. "According to our investigation, three juveniles allegedly planned to rob the victim of a firearm she attempted to sell. That attempted robbery escalated into violence, and a young life was cut short."
WATCH BELOW: 3 teens arrested after girl killed in Riviera Beach
Officers responded to the 1400 block of West 36th Street near Goodmark Park shortly after 8 p.m. and discovered the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Police determined the suspects, who knew the victim from the community but were not friends, communicated with her through social media to arrange the gun sale before attempting to rob her instead.
The alleged shooter, a 17-year-old, faces first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm, principal in the first degree, and tampering with a witness, victim, or informant. Two accomplices, both 16, each face first-degree murder, principal in the first degree, and attempted armed robbery charges.
One suspect was arrested in Jacksonville while two were taken into custody in Riviera Beach. Two of the three teens were previously known to law enforcement and had been in the system for several years, Coleman said.
WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE BELOW:
Advanced surveillance technology proved crucial in solving the case. Detectives used Flock camera and License Plate Reader technology to track the suspect vehicle as it fled the scene immediately after the shooting, following it to the suspects' homes.
Coleman added that the department will continue using Flock cameras despite recent state restrictions on their use on state roads.
"We'll continue to use the Flock cameras until they go away, until the city leadership decides they no longer want them in the city," Coleman said. "They're invaluable to our investigation, how we use them."
Coleman emphasized that the investigation remains active and additional arrests may be forthcoming. He also addressed the broader issue of youth violence plaguing the community.
"We've experienced a lot of activity like this in our community for many, many years, and we're starting to move forward, not just in this community, throughout Palm Beach County to plan together to address youth violence," Coleman said.
Pastor Tony Drayton, a community leader who has worked for years to address violence in the area, joined Coleman at the press conference.
"Our community has been bruised. Our community has been damaged," Drayton said. "And I do believe that just because we're bruised and damaged doesn't mean that we're at the point of failure. There's still hope."
The three juveniles are being held at the Juvenile Assessment Center and have not been charged as adults. Coleman said the legal process will determine if they should be tried as adults based on state statutes.
Coleman stressed that despite this incident, Riviera Beach remains a safe place to visit and live.
"This is not a black eye or blemish on what all the great work we have done in this city," Coleman said. "Riviera Beach is a place that I consider a great place, and I want everybody outside of Riviera Beach to feel it's a great place to come and enjoy the beaches that we have and our communities."
The investigation remains active. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Riviera Beach Police Department at 561-845-4123 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477).
