Rewards up to $20K for information leading to arrest in killings of children
14-year-old, 3-year-old shot in Pine Hills drive-bys
The reward for information leading to an arrest in one of the two drive-by shootings this week in Pine Hills that killed children, one boy 14 and the other just 3, was increased to $20,000 Friday, according to the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office.
Late Thursday, Crimeline offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the death of 3-year-old Daquane Felix Jr., who was killed in a drive-by shooting Tuesday night.
But on Friday, that reward rose through donations from the Florida Sheriff ’s Association as well as OCSO funds, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The three organizations also announced a $20,000 reward for the Monday night death of Denis “Joshua” Atkinson, who was 14.
Several shots were fired into the home on Drexel Avenue near North Lane around 9:20 p.m.
Daquane was struck by the gunfire and later pronounced dead, according to the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office.
Deputies said the home was targeted because one of the 438 gang members lived at the home.
“Someone knows who is responsible for little Daquane’s death. Help us take them off the streets,” the sheriff’s office said on Twitter.
Joshua was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting about11p.m. Monday on Glendale Road, where he’d been on a residence’s front porch, officials said. A 15-year-old, who has not been identified, was also injured in the shooting. OCSO officials have said he’s in critical, but stable, condition.
Both shootings were tied to a feud between rival gangs, 438 and All Family No Friends, that have been responsible for several shootings in Pine Hills and elsewhere since July, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said at a press conference on Wednesday.
But he said both Daquane and Joshua were innocent and not affiliated with the gangs, though both the houses where they were shot were “targeted” in the feud.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at 407-423-8477.