16-year-old charged with murder after domestic disagreement leads to shooting

SANFORD, Fla. — A 16-year-old boy was charged with second-degree homicide Friday in connection to the death of an 18-year-old man.

Sanford police said they upgraded the charge to homicide for the death of Artavious Quarterman.

Officers said Connor Lewis is in custody after a domestic disagreement led to a shooting Wednesday night.

Read: Person in custody after domestic disagreement leads to shooting

Dispatchers said they received a 911 call from Lewis saying that several women were banging on the front door of his house. Throughout the 911 call, Lewis is heard responding to the people at the door with “Oh, you’re so scary. You’re so scary.”

Lewis told the dispatcher that he and his girlfriend got into an argument and he told her to get out of the house.

He said that his girlfriend’s family had come to this house and were banging on the door and window.

Investigators said the people outside could be heard calling Lewis names, to which Lewis responded “OK.” A single gunshot was heard shortly after.

Read: Police search for driver who vandalized Black Lives Matter mural in downtown Orlando

Police said Quarterman had accompanied the mother of Lewis’ girlfriend to Lewis’ home. They were going to the house to pick up Lewis’ girlfriend and her belongings after she was involved in an earlier dispute with Lewis, investigators said.

The family and friends of Lewis' girlfriend were knocking on the doors and windows of the house in an attempt to get Lewis' girlfriend’s belongings that were in the home.

Read: ‘Cold corporate heart’: North Carolina great-grandmother sues Disney after CBD oil arrest

Officers said one round from a gun was fired from the inside of the home, through the window on the front door, striking Quarterman in the head.

Quarterman was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Sanford police or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS or crimeline.org. Those who provide tips that lead to solving a felony case are eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

Read: If your first stimulus check was short, the IRS is sending you money

“The fact that a young man’s life is now at risk is senseless,” said Chief Cecil Smith. “Sanford police officers were minutes away from the home, and I believe would have been able to separate and de-escalate the situation in a matter of moments. When you shoot a firearm, you must understand that the consequences of that can be deadly in any situation.”

Lewis was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree homicide and shooting into or throwing deadly missiles within a dwelling.

Cox Media Group