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Thursday, March 28, 2024

12-year-old boy, 2 teens charged as adults in Marion County triple homicide  

Three juvenile suspects, including a 12-year-old boy, will be charged as adults after a grand jury indicted them for first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of three teenagers in Marion County.

The indictment was announced earlier today by State Attorney William “Bill” Gladson. The suspects, 17-year-old Robert Le’Andrew Robinson, 16-year-old Tahj Brewton, and 12-year-old Christopher De’l Atkins, will be charged as adults in Marion County Circuit Court.

12 year old boy 2 teens charged as adults in Marion County triple homicide 1
Robert Le’Andrew Robinson (left), Tahj Brewton (center), and Christopher De’l Atkins (right)

Robinson and Brewton were indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and Atkins was indicted on one count of first-degree murder for the shooting deaths of Michael Hodo, Jr. (17), Layla Silvernail (16), and Camile Quarles (16). In addition, the three suspects were indicted on charges of robbery with a firearm and tampering with physical evidence.

On March 30, shortly after 10:50 p.m., MCSO deputies responded to the area of Forest Lakes Park on SE 183rd Avenue Road in Ocklawaha in reference to an injured female who was laying on the side of the road.

Upon arrival, deputies located a 16-year-old girl, later identified as Layla Silvernail, who was unconscious near a dumpster. She had been shot in the head, and she was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. She later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

Layla Silvernail, 16, was fatally shot in Ocklawaha on March 30, 2023
Layla Silvernail, 16, was fatally shot in Ocklawaha on March 30, 2023 (Photo: GoFundMe)

The following day, at approximately 7:55 a.m., a 17-year-old boy was found deceased on the side of the road in the area of SE 94th Street and SE 188th Court in Ocklawaha. He was later identified as Michael Hodo, Jr., and he had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head.

On Saturday, April 1, at around 12:40 p.m, the body of a third shooting victim, 16-year-old Camille Quarles, was found in the trunk of a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. She had been shot twice while inside the trunk, and the vehicle was partially submerged at the edge of a pond in the area of Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace in Ocklawaha.

Camille Quarles, 16, was found deceased in the trunk of a vehicle on April 1, 2023
Camille Quarles, 16, was found deceased in the trunk of a vehicle on April 1, 2023 (Photo: GoFundMe)

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Detectives Andrew Canterberry and Ryan Stith led the extensive investigation into the homicides. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and United States Marshall’s Office also provided evidence that helped lead to the arrests of Atkins, Robinson, and Brewton.

The three juvenile suspects are currently being held without bond at Marion County Jail.