Teen denied bail in 2023 gas station shooting and carjacking
A juvenile charged with shooting and attempted carjacking will be held without bail for now, a judge ruled on Wednesday.
Assistant State Attorney James Moody told County Judge Tommy Thompson prosecutors will seek pre-trial detention for the defendant due to the nature of the crime. If that effort is successful, the teen would remain locked up at the county jail until his case is resolved.
The judge told the 17-year-old defendant, who appeared for the hearing via Zoom from the county jail, that he's being charged as an adult and a judge had signed paperwork for his arrest.
Handcuffed, and seated at the back of the jailhouse courtroom, the teen wore red pants and a brown shirt. His hearing lasted several minutes. He's charged with attempted murder, attempted carjacking and possession of a firearm by a person younger than 18.
The judge told the teen not to have any contact with the victim, their family or anyone connected with the case. The teen's next court date is scheduled for March. The Star-Banner is not publishing the defendant's age because he is a juvenile.
Marion County Sheriff's officials said the minor was extradited from Lowndes County, Georgia, on Tuesday. He was booked into the jail. While at the jail, the boy will be separated from adults.
Alleged crime spree
At issue in the case is a July 5, 2023 incident at the Petro Truck Stop, 7401 W. County Road 318 in Reddick.
At the time, deputies said they were called to the location to investigate a shooting and someone trying to take a vehicle.
When deputies arrived, they found a 52-year-old man from Tampa with a gunshot wound to the head. Paramedics treated the man, who was then transported to a local hospital.
Detective Andrew Canterberry was the lead investigator. The detective said the victim and his wife were in a vehicle that was parked at a gas pump when a GMC pickup truck pulled beside them.
Deputies said the boy and Christopher Mikail Riley, his alleged accomplice, got out of the GMC. Armed with a handgun that was taken from the teen, Riley, 29, fired two shots, law enforcement officials said.
Both Riley and the boy left in the GMC. Authorities said the same vehicle was involved in a similar incident in Clearwater. Before the two incidents, deputies said, the GMC was stolen in an armed carjacking in Valdosta, Georgia.
Riley's criminal history
Two days after the incidents, both Riley and the boy were taken into custody by Valdosta Police Department officers in Georgia. The GMC truck was recovered.
Georgia authorities charged the pair in connection with the crime in that state. Meanwhile, Canterberry got a warrant for the duo and waited for Georgia officials to complete their investigation.
Riley remains in Georgia and is expected to be returned to Marion County. It's unknown when. He's facing charges of attempted murder, attempted carjacking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
A change of heart: Defendant in armed carjacking trial rethinks plan to be his own attorney
State records show Riley was released from prison in January 2023 after serving time for burglary and grand theft in Hillsborough County. Those same records show he's on probation in that case until January 2025.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Teen accused of 2023 carjacking/shooting in NW Marion County, Florida
