A Florida teenager charged with murdering a 14-year-old boy is back in custody after he escaped from a juvenile detention center.
Jahmir Moore, 15, was arrested on December 4 in connection to the April murder of 14-year-old Jevario Buie.
He was being held at the Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center in the custody of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, according to the Tampa Police Department,
Tampa Police Deputy Chief Ruth Cate said officers realized he was missing around 10:33 a.m. Sunday when he failed to show up for head count, reported WFLA.
‘He is considered to be a very dangerous individual. We are very concerned that he is not in custody. He is here on a very serious charge,’ Cate said at the time.
Surveillance footage from a nearby business showed Moore jogging down the street from the facility around 10:45 a.m.
He was seen wearing a dark green t-shirt over a blue Department of Juvenile Justice-issued shirt, blue slacks and white shoes.
Over 11 hours later, Moore was arrested without incident shortly after 9:15 p.m. on the 100-block of West Keyes Avenue by Tampa Police with the assistance of the US Marshals Task Force.
‘Tonight, the family of Jevario Buie and our community can rest knowing a dangerous individual is back in custody,’ said Chief Lee Bercaw.
‘I am incredibly appreciative of the officers who worked tirelessly since this morning when they were alerted of Moore’s escape. Let this be a reminder to those who think they can evade Tampa Police, they cannot, and they will be held accountable.’
Moore was charged with first degree murder, carrying a concealed firearm, tampering with physical evidence and misdemeanor count of minor in possession of a firearm.
Police said on April 17, they discovered Buie with gunshot wounds near railroad tracks by Busch Boulevard and Rome Avenue, according to WFTS.
Surveillance footage showed Buie and Moore walking north on North Rome Avenue towards a dead end near the scene at 3:33 p.m. on the day of the murder.
Moore was the last known person to have been with Buie before the crime and at 3:36 p.m. he was seen walking away from the scene without Buie, according to police.
Investigators discovered records of communications between the two, as well as social media messages, notes and search history that allegedly point to Moore’s involvement.
‘It’s clear there was a feud,’ said Bercaw. ‘I want to send a clear example that the City of Tampa, no matter your age, you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Juveniles in Tampa do not get a pass.’
Buie’s devastated family was concerned about Moore’s escape and hoped they can continue to try to heal and get justice.
‘We are concerned. I am concerned about my family’s safety, the community safety,’ the victim’s grandfather Michael Baldwin told the local news station.
His family said they will remember the teen as a goofy kid with an infectious smile who loved football and his family.
‘I’ve been living in a nightmare since I lost my son, and now I can feel a little bit of closure,’ his mother Jasmine Baldwin said at the time of Moore’s arrest.