Teen Cousins Charged In Deadly Beating Outside Hallandale Beach Store
HALLANDALE BEACH (CBSMiami) – Two teen cousins have been charged with 2nd degree murder after police say they beat a man so severely, he died from his injuries.
Cousins Jose Carlos Llano, 14, and Juan Xolo, 17, were charged after questioning by police.
Police say it all happened outside the Advance Auto Parts store on North Federal Highway just North of Hallandale Beach Boulevard early Wednesday morning. From Chopper 4, a tarp was seen covering a body lying next to a dumpster behind the store.
Hallandale Beach Police Chief Dwayne Flournoy said the teens confessed to the crime and told investigators a chilling tale.
"They used a pen to puncture or create wounds to the deceased," Flournoy said.
Investigators say the teens wanted to involve the victim in some sort of transaction but police won't elaborate on it. However, police say the teens told them the deal did not go down and the victim still wanted to be paid.
Police believe the teens planned to pay the man with a laptop they brought from their house.
Somehow, police say, violence intervened.
"It seemed to be more of a situation that occurred rapidly," Flournoy explained. "It didn't seem to involve any sort of premeditation.:
Police said they received a 911 call about three males in a fight. When an officer arrived he found two young men physically attacking a third man on the ground. When the two young men spotted they cop they took off, but were rounded up by other officers arriving on the scene.
"They are cooperating. Their parents are with them at the station. They are cooperating and providing us with statements," said Flournoy.
The parents of one of the juveniles told CBS4's Natalia Zea that they had no idea what happened because they work nights and rushed to scene after getting a call from police. They said their son is 14-years old, is a good student and has never been involved in a fight.
Police have not identified the man who was killed or given a motive for the attack. They also aren't saying whether any kind of weapon was used, though the Flournoy confirmed there was no gun used.
A number of people who work in the area said there is a homeless man who often sleeps by the dumpster. He's often seen carrying a laptop.
Police did not confirm if the man who died was homeless but did say a laptop was part of their investigation.
