- By Supratik Das
- Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Danika Troy murder case: In a chilling crime that has shocked the Florida Panhandle, two teenage boys have been arrested for the brutal killing of 14-year-old Danika Troy, who was lured into a wooded area, shot repeatedly, and set on fire. Authorities say the suspects, 16-year-old Gabriel Williams and 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins, allegedly planned the murder days before carrying it out.
According to the New York Post, Danika was first reported missing on Dec. 1 by her mother, Ashley Troy, after the teenager failed to return home the previous night. The following day, a passerby discovered a burned body in a wooded area off Kimberly Road in Pace. Deputies later confirmed it was Danika, identified through her clothing and the scooter found nearby. Investigators say the girl had been shot multiple times before her body was doused with gasoline and set ablaze.
How Teens Lured Danika?
According to arrest records, a cooperating witness told the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office that Blevins admitted he and Williams “planned the murder.” The witness said Blevins claimed the “initial plan was to shoot Danika once,” but Williams continued firing before the killers set the body on fire.
Danika’s mother revealed that Williams allegedly pretended to like her daughter. “Gabe pretended to have feelings for her. That’s how she was lured,” she said, adding that Danika “just wanted to be in love” and trusted him.
Detectives initially looked into a dispute the teens reportedly had with Danika over Thanksgiving break. Williams allegedly told investigators he was upset after Danika called him “worthless” and a “gang-banger,” while Blevins had been blocked by her online. However, Sheriff Bob Johnson said these explanations “don’t fit the forensics or facts,” suggesting the true motive remains uncertain.
Teens Held As Prosecutors Weigh Adult Charges
Williams and Blevins are currently in custody at the Department of Juvenile Justice. Prosecutors will decide whether the pair will be charged as adults, a move Sheriff Johnson strongly supports.
“If you commit an adult crime, you deserve to serve adult time,” Johnson said at a press conference. Should the teens be indicted for first-degree premeditated murder, they could face a mandatory life sentence. Penalties for juveniles, however, depend on court decisions and Florida’s sentencing guidelines.
Danika’s death has devastated her community. Avalon Baptist Church, where her family worships, has announced a candlelight vigil in her memory. Her mother, still searching for clarity, says she wants full accountability. “I want nothing less than for them to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” she said.
