BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Four individuals, including one of the alleged suspect's mother, face federal charges in a murder-for-hire scheme that resulted in the killing of a 17-year-old high school student in Brooksville.
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) came together Thursday morning to announce the charges of Lenard White, 36, Sheldon Robinson, 21, Keshawn Woods, 22, and 44-year-old Janet Williams.
The investigation began back on Feb. 6 when a 17-year-old girl and her mother went to the sheriff's office to report a crime. Authorities said the 17-year-old had accused White of sexually assaulting her.
The very next day, the teen and her mother were at home and got a knock on their door. When the teen answered the door, authorities said Robinson and Woods shot multiple rounds into the home.
The 17-year-old was shot four times and died from her injuries. Her mother was also shot but was able to make a full recovery.
During the shooting, Woods lost a shoe, which was traced back to him using police K-9s, and the shoe's mate was later found in the getaway car, authorities explained.
Before the shooting, White paid Robinson $10,000 to kill the teen because he was afraid of her reporting the assault, authorities said. In turn, Robinson solicited help in the murder via social media. He paid Woods $4,000 to help him, authorities said.
Janet Williams is the mother of Robinson and is accused of making false statements to ATF during their investigation.
White, Robinson, and Woods were charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire, murder for hire, discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence that caused the death of the teen, and other charges. All three face life in prison at the very least, or the federal death penalty, according to court documents. Williams faces 15 years in federal prison.
Watch the full news conference below