MARION COUNTY, Fla. — The shooting deaths of three teenagers in recent days in the rural community of Forest Lakes Park are connected to a “wannabe gang,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods told Channel 9 on Tuesday.
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Deputies said they were called shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday to Southeast 183rd Avenue Road after it was reported that Layla Danielle Silvernail, 16, was injured.
Once deputies arrived, they said they noticed she had been shot, and she was taken to a hospital in critical condition. But she has now died, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
Shortly before 8 a.m. Friday, deputies said they were called to Southeast 94th Street and Southeast 188th Court after it was reported that another person was lying along the road.
Investigators said they discovered a 17-year-old boy who had also been shot, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is not being released at his family’s request.
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Shortly before 12:45 p.m. Saturday, deputies said they were called to Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace after receiving a tip about an ongoing homicide investigation.
Once investigators arrived at the scene, they said they discovered a partially submerged vehicle at the edge of a nearby body of water, and divers discovered the body of a 16-year-old girl in that vehicle. Her family has also requested that her identity not be released.
Woods said Tuesday that the community at-large is not in danger.
“There is nothing to indicate that it is a serial killer whatsoever,” he said.
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Woods said the victims were all friends and that their deaths might be related to “hybrid gangs.”
“I’ll use more plain English for everybody: A wannabe gang is what they are,” he said.
Woods said his agency has identified multiple suspects and persons of interest, but he cannot release those name yet so as to not jeopardize the investigation.
“I can’t tell you who is associated or what gang is associated or anything like that,” he said.
Anyone with information about the three deaths is asked to call Marion County Detective Ryan Stith at 352-368-3542.
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Those who wish to anonymously submit a tip may do so by calling Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-7867 and mentioning the code 23-22.
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