Teen accused in fatal shooting

During a sale of marijuana at a Boynton Beach basketball court, a 20-year-old man was fatally shot and a day later, police accused a a teenager of committing murder, police said.

Stephen Carson Thal, 17, from Riviera Beach, was arrested Monday night on suspicion of committing murder and taken to a juvenile detention center, police said.

Gunfire at Caloosa Park brought officers to 1300 SW 35th Congress Ave. just west of Interstate 95 at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The park was crowded with about 100 people when police arrived.

A witness told police Desean Zachary Menelas, 20, of Boynton Beach, was negotiating with two buyers by texting on his cellphone about the location for the drug deal, an arrest report said.

In the middle of the transaction, one of the suspects pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at Menelas, saying, “Get down and drop what you got,” before bullets flew, witnesses told police.

Menelas was wounded in his back and died at Delray Medical Center, police said.

Along the path Menelas tried to escape, nine bullet casings — seven were 45 mm and two were 9 mm — were recovered, the report said.

Menelas’ cellphone was also found; it contained texts that described the proposed drug deal, police said.

Menelas had been rapping for several years under the name Mister Pookie. He also played basketball and enjoyed photography, said his cousin, Tyree Garvin, 15, of Boynton Beach.

Police ask anyone with information to call 561-732-8116 or Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County, at 800-458-8477. Tips can also be submitted at bbpd.org.