A 14-year-old Florida boy turned himself in to authorities after fatally shooting both of his parents, leaving the community stunned and asking questions.
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said that the suspect, teenager Trevor Lee, got into an argument with his parents, 44-year-old David Lee and 45-year-old Brandi Lee, shortly before shooting them.
Teen Turns Himself In After Fatally Shooting Parents
The relatives, friends, and neighbors of the victims knew the couple and their son as a typical family. One resident, Kyree Bemon, said, "They were the best or one of the best families I knew. They were funny, and they treated me well. They told me they loved me like a son, and they treated me as such."
Bemon added that he went to the Lee family's home nearly every week to hang out with the shooter, who was his best friend. He was seen on Monday afternoon praying in front of the house where the shooting of the couple occurred, according to First Coast News.
Cook said that the 14-year-old suspect apparently got into an argument with the two victims on Sunday night. Police officials added that Lee called 911 and surrendered at a nearby church after fatally shooting his parents.
Bemon also noted that the last time he spoke with his best friend was around midnight, which was six hours before police responded to the shooting. He said that the suspect said he loved him and only called to say goodnight.
Mental Health Issues
Cook added that they will be looking into Lee's mental health background and history in school as part of the investigative process. Authorities also believe that the gun that the teenage shooter used in the incident belonged to his parents, Click Orlando reported.
When Lee called 911, he said that they could find his parents' bodies at the house and revealed that he had just walked a mile to a church. He then said that he would be waiting for deputies to arrive so that they could take him into custody.
The tragic incident raises more questions about gun access, adolescent mental health, and family intervention. The shooting also underscores broader national concerns regarding youth violence and the relative availability of firearms in homes.
Police have been talking with Lee to find out where the firearm was stored, how he got access to it, and how he had knowledge about it. Cook added that there was no one else inside the home when the shooting occurred and that there is currently no danger to the public, as per Newsweek.
