Page 43 - Florida Sentinel 6-25-21

Crime
Two Charged With Murder Of 17-Year-Old At Park
Man Arrested On Warrant For First- Degree Murder
TAIGUR TAGURI ... Victim
MARGUS JOHNSON Charged with murder
JEVON BERRIEN, JR. Charged with murder
JEVON BERRIEN, SR. Facing several drug charges
JOSEPH STILLITANO
Drugs confiscated at the time of the arrest.
Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office have arrested to teenagers in con- nection with the murder of a 17-year-old. The search con- tinues for at least two others.
The two 16-year-olds, identified as Margus John- son and Jevon Berrien, Jr., have been charged with first-deee murder.
The two are charged with the fatal shooting of 17-year- old Taigur Taguri, of Lake- land.
Based on interviews with witnesses, suspects, and oth- ers, and evidence collected so far in the investigation, at around 9:40 p.m. Monday, June 7, Taguri drove to Gor- don Heights Park near Bar- tow with the intention of selling marijuana to someone with whom he was communi- cating on social media. He was accompanied by a female.
When Taguri arrived at the park, he stopped his truck. Several unknown black male suspects approached the truck. One suspect opened the driver’s door, and another suspect opened the passenger side door. During this time Taguri was heard saying “no” and “don’t.” Multiple shots were fired at Taguri by both suspects. The passenger was not injured. A total of 3-4 suspects are believed to be in- volved.
After being shot, Taguri accelerated, and the truck crashed into a fence then came to a stop against some
playground equipment.
The suspects fled. The pas- senger and another witness called 9-1-1. Taguri was pro-
nounced dead at the scene. During the investigation, detectives gathered evidence and searched social media channels for any communica- tion between the victim and others. Detectives discovered and were provided with sev- eral names of people with whom Taguri had been com- municating on social media – one of those people was tenta- tively identified as 16-year-old Jevon Berrien, Jr., of Bar-
tow.
Detectives responded to
the residence, and inter- viewed Berrien. Detectives also found Margus John- son hiding in the home.
During a search of the res- idence, detectives found a loaded Glock 9 mm handgun in Berrien’s room. The gun and casings found at the scene were taken to the FDLE lab for testing. FDLE con- firmed that the shell casings found at the scene matched the handgun and ammunition that was submitted for test- ing.
Detectives also found nu- merous pieces of drug para- phernalia, including a grinder, scale, and glass jar, all containing marijuana residue, and a burnt mari- juana cigar in Berrien Jr.’s room.
Jevon Berrien, Jr. was charged with first-degree
murder; attempted armed robbery;· conspiracy to commit armed robbery; un- lawful possession by a minor of a firearm; possession of marijuana; and possession of paraphernalia.
Margus Johnson was charged with first-degree murder (capital felony); at- tempted armed robbery ; and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
During the search of Berrien’s home, detectives found another loaded firearm in Jevon Berrien Sr.’s room, along with a large red container of methampheta- mine, and several items of drug paraphernalia.
Inside Berrien Sr.’s car detectives found a camera bag with a digital scale, multiple plastic baggies, and individu- ally packaged baggies of mar- ijuana. A lunchbox contained another digital scale and a gallon-sized bag of marijuana.
Jevon Berrien, Sr., 47, was placed under arrest and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of ammunition by a convicted felon; posses- sion of methamphetamine; possession of marijuana with the intent to sell; and posses- sion of paraphernalia.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), or online at www.heartlandcrimestop- pers.com.
On June 9, 2021, a warrant for murder was issued by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The warrant was for murder.
The warrant listed 31-year- old Joseph Stillitano as the suspect. He was wanted for murder and drug charges.
Detectives investigating the murder had obtained tips pertaining to the whereabouts of Stillitano. One tip led de- tectives to the Rodeway Inn, 6510 U. S. 301.
Last Wednesday, detec- tives were able to use tips and information from surveillance cameras to locate Stillitano at the Rodeway Inn, on June 16, 2021.
Chad Chronister, Hills- borough County Sheriff said, “I hope this serves as a warn- ing and reminder to anyone who is attempting to sell drugs in our community; just like Stillitano, you will pay the consequences for your actions.
“We are so thankful for the community members who came forward with informa- tion which led us to locating and arresting Stillitano.”
Stillitano is charged with first-degree murder, which re- sulted from the unlawful dis- tribution of a controlled substance, trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin with the intent, and posses- sion of methamphetamine.
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