TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A 17-year-old boy who was shot when he and three other armed suspects broke into a home on Wabash Trail will now be tried as an adult for attempted murder.
Jahlil Butts, 17, is the latest and likely the final suspect to be charged in a home invasion on Wabash Trail on May 14. He was transferred into jail custody on Thursday to face attempted first degree murder and armed burglary charges as an adult.
According to court documents, 20-year-old Tyree Tillman, 18-year-old Jaylin Baldwin, 16-year-old Amarion Meeks and Butts traveled to a home near the 2300 block of Wabash Trail at approximately 3:37 a.m. on May 14 in a stolen car. Authorities say the suspects used the victim's key, which had been stolen two days before, to enter the house.
However, when they were standing in the kitchen, the homeowner was waiting for them with a rifle. In fear for his life, documents say the victim fired approximately 25 rounds at the suspects who exchanged fire with him as they retreated out of the home.
Minutes after the shooting, investigators say the suspects drove Butts to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital int he stolen car and dropped him off in the emergency room for a gunshot wound. Just minutes after that, Meeks' family called an ambulance from South Adams Street for his gunshot wound.
Documents say Meeks lied to investigators when they spoke to him and said that he didn't know Butts. During the investigation, officers found the stolen vehicle near Tillman’s residence and searched it, finding evidence inside that "contained blood evidence consistent with two subjects being shot."
Doctors at TMH also advised investigators that Butts' injuries were consistent with being shot with a rifle round. Based on the evidence, a warrant was issued for Butts' arrest and a judge ordered that he be moved to the Leon County Detention Facility to face attempted first degree murder and armed burglary charges as an adult.
A 16-year-old Tallahassee boy will be charged as an adult after being connected to the home invasion that occurred on Wabash Trail.
The state attorney's office ordered that Amarion Meeks, 16, be transferred into the Leon County Detention Facility on attempted first degree murder and burglary charges.
According to court documents, Meeks and Tyree Tillman, 20, used a victim’s key that was stolen two days prior and invaded his home on May 14.
When the victim noticed the suspects were inside his home, he became fearful and went and grabbed his own gun to fire several shots at the two suspects, sparking a shootout. Police say the suspects shot at the victim while they ran out the home, leaving behind clothing, jewelry and a stolen handgun.
Approximately one hour after the incident, officers received a call in regards to a person suffering from a gunshot wound near South Adams Street.
Authorities say Meeks was identified as the patient and was taken to a local hospital. Later that same morning, officers found the stolen vehicle near Tillman’s residence.
When investigators searched the vehicle, they found blood and shell casings, matching those found at the original crime scene.
Based on the evidence, both Meeks and Tillman were arrested and are being held without bond at the Leon County Detention Facility.
Documents note that prior to this incident Meeks had been committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice in a non-secure program to which he was on conditional release status.
Meeks also has a juvenile history that includes charges of burglary, grand theft, resisting an officer, and violation of probation.
Authorities say a man and a teenager are facing felony charges after being connected to the home invasion that occurred on Wabash Trail.
The Tallahassee Police Department arrested Tyree Tillman, 20, and a 16-year-old male on Friday.
Police say an investigation revealed that the victim’s vehicle was reported stolen and recovered days before the incident, with the victim’s handgun and keys to his home still missing.
Documents say the suspects used the victim’s key that was stolen two days prior, to enter the home on Wednesday morning.
When the victim noticed the suspects were inside his home, he became fearful and went and grabbed his own gun to fire several shots at the suspects.
TPD says the suspects then began to shoot at the victim while they ran out the home, leaving behind clothing, jewelry and a stolen handgun on scene.
After the incident, the suspects were last seen fleeing in a stolen Toyota Camry, according to documents.
Approximately one hour after the incident, Officers received a call in regards to a person suffering from a gunshot wound near South Adams Street.
Authorities say the patient was identified as the 16-year-old suspect and was taken to a local hospital.
Later that same morning, officers found the stolen vehicle near Tillman’s residence.
When investigators searched the vehicle, they found blood and shell casings, matching those found at the original crime scene. TPD says an additional search of Tillman’s home revealed property from other recent burglaries, along with ammunition and two guns, one of which had been reported stolen.
During the investigation, authorities also found probable cause to arrest 18-year-old Jaylin Baldwin, who lived with Tillman. Based on the evidence and consultation with the State Attorney’s Office, officers later found probable cause to arrest Tillman and the 16-year-old suspect.
The teenager was released from the hospital and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center on attempted murder and burglary charges. WTXL has chosen not to identify the juvenile that was arrested at this time.
Police say both Tillman and Baldwin were transported to the Leon County Detention Center.
Tillman is being held without bond on attempted murder and burglary charges while Baldwin is being held on a $1,000 bond for possession of a weapon by a delinquent.
TPD says this is still an active investigation and police will provide more information when it becomes available.
The Tallahassee Police Department is currently investigating an early morning home invasion robbery.
TPD says officers responded to a shooting near the 2300 block of Wabash Trail at approximately 3:37 a.m. on Tuesday.
When officers arrived on scene they learned that armed suspects had entered a home. Authorities say the victim fired several shots at the suspects before they fled from the residence.
At this time officers are investigating the scene and have assigned this case to the Violent Crimes Unit.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about this case to please call them at (850) 891-4200 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS.
We have a reporter headed to the scene and will bring you more information as it becomes available.
