Teen arrested for fatally shooting 15-year-old best friend in Florida City
MIAMI — An 18-year-old was arrested in the shooting death of 15-year-old Damarion Bailey, who died in Florida City on Saturday morning.
Jeron Smith has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Bailey, who was his friend, according to Smith's grandmother.
"He didn't deserve this, the family don't deserve to be hurt the way we are," a family friend said Sunday night at a gathering in Florida City of Bailey's loved ones. "Only thing we have now of Damarion is memories."
Smith and Bailey were sitting in a courtyard at 434 NW 13th St. around 10:31 a.m. Saturday when Smith saw two unidentified men riding bicycles westbound on 13th Street. Smith then pulled out a handgun and began shooting at the men "unprovoked," according to police. The riders dropped their bikes and began to run away.
Bailey was shot in the head as Smith fired his gun before retreating toward his home.
Florida City Police arrived just minutes after they received a call about the shooting and tried to save Bailey's life. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue later pronounced Bailey dead at the scene.
Smith's grandmother, Margaret, said Bailey and Smith had been best friends since they were little.
"The best of friends. What happened though, I don't know," she said.
She described her grandson as "the sweetest kid you ever want to meet."
"Real sweet, everybody talked highly about him," she said. "I love him just like he's my own child."
During questioning by police, Smith reportedly waived his Miranda rights and provided a detailed video-recorded confession.
Police executed a search warrant at Smith's neighbor's home, where a 9mm firearm was found hidden behind an air conditioning unit, the affidavit stated. Smith confirmed to investigators that it was the gun he used in the shooting.
On Monday, Smith faced a judge, who assigned a public defender and found probable cause to withhold bond.