Mother of man shot, killed in Titusville speaks out; three people charged

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — Three people, including a juvenile, were arrested Thursday and charged in the shooting death of a Titusville man, police said.

Titusville detectives and SWAT served search warrants at homes on Gibson Street and Canaveral Avenue early Thursday morning.

Police said they found physical evidence in the searches and took the three into custody.

Police identified the three as Jeremiah Jermain Trice, 19, Jiris Kelly, 18 and Tyreik Jaru Smith, 15. All three are from Titusville.

On Wednesday afternoon police found Titusville resident Matthew Hagerty, 24, shot to death in a car on Mockingbird Lane.

Police said surveillance video from a nearby apartment complex showed three people running from the scene just before officers arrived at 2:35 p.m

Photos: Surveillance images from Titusville shooting

According to police, the video, along with statements from witnesses led them to obtain search warrants of the homes.

“You can’t defend that he was there, but I know the kind of kid he is and that’s just not who he is,” said Smith’s sister, who did not want to be identified.

Police said they believe Hagerty drove to the vacant lot where he was later found dead, to buy drugs from the three. They said they believe the three met Hagerty with the intent to rob him.

Police said Hagerty was shot twice.

Hagerty’s mom said he grew up in the area but had just arrived bacj in town from Ohio.

Police said he was looking to buy drugs and approached the three teens.

“We had made some plans to do some fun things together this week,: said Hagerty’s mother, who was not identified. “There nothing you miss the most. It’s your baby. You miss it all.”

“This is as ruthless and heartless as it gets. They robbed this man for what amount to $40 cash and took his life,” said Commander Todd Hutchinson of the Titusville Police Department.

The three are charged with murder.

WFTV