Police call Florida teen's murder a 'random act.' Who killed Ryan Rogers — and why?

In the week before Thanksgiving, one Palm Beach Gardens family found their world turned upside down. Ryan Rogers, their 14-year-old son, was reported missing on Nov. 15. His body was found near Interstate 95 the following day. On Nov. 20, police announced they were ruling the case a homicide.

Now, nearly two weeks later, Palm Beach Gardens police have arrested a man in connection with the teen's death.

Semmie Lee Williams will face a first-degree murder charge in the death of Rogers, investigators announced at a news conference Thursday morning. Williams, 39, was taken into custody Wednesday night in Miami. He has been charged with first-degree murder with a weapon.

Ryan Rogers homicide: Palm Beach Gardens arrest Miami man, 39, on murder charge

How did police find Ryan Rogers suspect? Police say headphones, bloody bandana led police to man facing murder charge

What happened to Ryan Rogers?

Ryan Rogers, who lived in the Alton community, was last seen at about 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 leaving his home on his bicycle, according to a news release. He did not come home, his family said.

At about 9 a.m. the following day, Rogers' body and his bicycle were located near the Central Boulevard sidewalk at the Interstate 95 overpass.

Cindy Rogers, Ryan's mother, and friends publicly updated the community and asked for help via social media.

That Tuesday morning, she posted, "SEARCH is off. I need space and time. Thank you to everyone.”

By Saturday, police announced the case was a homicide investigation.

"We can say with almost absolute certainty that this was not a hit-and-run incident," said Palm Beach Gardens Police Maj. Paul Rogers, who is not related to Ryan.

How did Ryan Rogers die?

On Thursday, police released an arrest warrant detailing Rogers' death. According to the report, Rogers was riding his bike southbound on the east sidewalk of Central Boulevard and crossed the Interstate 95 overpass at about 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15. Investigators were able to narrow down his location after obtaining cellphone data, The Palm Beach Post reports.

At the same time Williams walked north on the sidewalk, according to surveillance-camera video taken from an unspecified site in the area at 7:28 p.m., Williams' arrest report said.

The arrest report does not specify what interaction the two had, though police said they likely crossed paths in the minutes that followed. Police say Williams stabbed Rogers "numerous times in the head and face." His body was found the next morning "in a wooded area out of plain sight," about 24 feet from the sidewalk, according to the warrant.

Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Clint Shannon called it a "random act."

Catch up on the case:

• Palm Beach Gardens teen found dead Tuesday had 'nothing but love in his heart,' friends say

• Ryan Rogers funeral: Soccer-themed celebration of life planned for 14-year-old killed last week

• Ryan Rogers: Report details how DNA evidence led officers to murder arrest

Who killed Ryan Rogers?

Police discovered Rogers' body near Interstate 95 on Nov. 16 and found a pair of headphones at the scene. The headphones did not belong to Rogers, investigators say. Testing determined that DNA found at the scene matched Semmie Lee Williams. Williams has prior arrests in Florida, Georgia and California.

Investigators tracked Williams to Miami and searched a green backpack he was wearing. Inside they found a blood-stained bandana with DNA from Rogers and Williams, according to warrants obtained by The Palm Beach Post.

Who is Semmie Lee Williams?

Semmie Lee Williams was described as a "homeless drifter," by Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Clint Shannon. Williams spends most of his time in Miami, according to investigators, and it is unclear how he arrived in Palm Beach County.

Videos on Williams' YouTube channel show him walking the streets of South Florida, and feature areas of Miami including a downtown homeless shelter, The Miami Herald reports.

Ryan Rogers suspect: What we know about Semmie Lee Williams

Why was Semmie Lee Williams in Palm Beach County?

It's unclear what brought Williams to Palm Beach County, but videos posted to his YouTube channel show him wandering the streets of South Florida for some time. The Miami Herald reported that investigators were able to track Williams through the social media account.

At a news conference Thursday, Shannon would not comment on the use of social media, but said Williams was placed at the scene by evidence. He did not say what kind of confrontation led to Rogers' death, except to call it a "chance encounter."

Investigators said Williams spends most of his time on the streets of Miami and think he used several types of transportation to reach Palm Beach Gardens.

"It's a mystery to us why this man was in our community," Shannon said.

Are there any other suspects?

Earlier this week, Palm Beach Gardens Police announced they were working with federal agents to identify persons of interest. In a statement, police addressed multiple reports of a man in dark clothing and a ski mask that have been circulating on social media. Investigators determined those reports are not related to Rogers' murder.

Where is Williams now?

Circuit Judge Charles Burton denied bail for Williams during a brief hearing Thursday morning at the Palm Beach County Jail, The Palm Beach Post reports. The hearing was done via video call from Williams' jail cell.

The Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office is representing Williams. His attorney Thursday advised him not to speak in front of the court. Williams was kept in his cell for medical reasons.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Ryan Rogers: Semmie Lee Williams arrested in Gardens teen's murder