On two separate nights in late September and October 2025, tragedy struck two Florida communities as gun violence claimed the lives of two teenagers, shaking families and raising fresh concerns about the safety of young people in the state. In Orange County, 17-year-old Jahriel Huertas was shot on the evening of September 26 in the 4900 block of Keith Place. He succumbed to his injuries the following day at a local hospital, leaving behind grieving relatives and friends. Just weeks later, on October 21, another 17-year-old, Trevaun Johnson, was found dead from gunshot wounds on Country Hollow Drive in Tampa, Hillsborough County. Both incidents have prompted swift law enforcement responses and renewed calls for community vigilance and support.
According to statements released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and widely reported by local outlets, detectives moved quickly in the aftermath of Jahriel Huertas’s death. After securing a warrant, they arrested 15-year-old Tommy Lagree Jr. on October 22, 2025. Lagree faces charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a minor. The arrest took place early Wednesday morning, and Lagree was processed at the Orange County Juvenile Assessment Center the same day. The sheriff’s office, as reported by News 6, named and released Lagree’s identity due to the gravity of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the case.
Details about what led to the shooting of Huertas remain scarce. Detectives have not released a motive, and the investigation is ongoing. Community members are left with more questions than answers, as authorities work to piece together the events that led to the fatal gunfire. According to Channel 9 Eyewitness News, the shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood, adding to the shock and concern among local residents who never expected such violence so close to home.
Meanwhile, in Tampa, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is grappling with its own investigation into a deadly shooting involving teenagers. On the night of October 21, deputies responded to a call about gunfire on Country Hollow Drive at around 9:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Trevaun Johnson, 17. The violence didn’t stop there; two additional individuals with gunshot wounds were located at nearby hospitals later that evening, according to reporting by WFLA.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister addressed the public’s concern the following day, emphasizing the department’s commitment to community safety. “There is no situation in which this level of violence is acceptable,” Chronister stated. “The safety of this community is our top priority, and we will continue doing everything in our power to protect it.” The sheriff’s office believes the incident to be isolated, but the investigation is ongoing and detectives are still working to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting. The identities of those found wounded in the hospital have not been released, and no arrests have been announced as of the time of this report.
The back-to-back tragedies highlight a growing unease about gun violence among youth in Florida. While each case is unique, the similarities are hard to ignore: both victims were 17, both shootings occurred in residential neighborhoods, and both have left communities searching for answers and reassurance. In Orange County, the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect has only intensified the debate about how firearms end up in the hands of minors and what can be done to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Florida law prohibits minors from possessing firearms, and charges such as those brought against Tommy Lagree Jr.—first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a minor—reflect the seriousness with which authorities are treating these cases. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has not released further information about how Lagree allegedly obtained the weapon used in the shooting or whether any adults may face charges related to gun access. The lack of a stated motive has left many in the community uneasy, with some calling for greater transparency and others focusing on the need for more youth outreach and intervention programs.
In Tampa, the sheriff’s office has not yet named any suspects or released details about the possible motive behind Trevaun Johnson’s killing. However, the department’s swift response and public reassurances demonstrate a commitment to solving the case and preventing further violence. Sheriff Chronister’s remarks underscore the broader concern felt by law enforcement leaders across the state: keeping communities safe is an ongoing challenge, especially when it comes to protecting young people from gun violence.
These incidents are not isolated in the broader context of youth violence in the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearm-related injuries are a leading cause of death among U.S. teenagers, and Florida has seen its share of high-profile cases in recent years. Community leaders, parents, and educators have repeatedly called for stronger preventive measures, ranging from gun safety education to increased mental health support and after-school programs designed to keep teens engaged and out of harm’s way.
Some advocates argue that stricter enforcement of existing gun laws is needed, while others point to the importance of addressing root causes such as poverty, lack of opportunity, and family instability. In the wake of these recent shootings, local organizations are stepping up efforts to provide counseling and support for affected families, as well as to foster dialogue about solutions that go beyond law enforcement.
The emotional toll of these tragedies is evident in the outpouring of grief and support from classmates, neighbors, and faith communities. Vigils have been organized, and social media is filled with tributes to the young lives lost. While the investigations continue, many are left grappling with a sense of vulnerability and the urgent need to protect other teens from similar fates.
As both cases progress through the legal system, the spotlight remains on the broader issue of youth gun violence in Florida. Law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and community groups are all searching for ways to break the cycle and ensure that tragedies like those of Jahriel Huertas and Trevaun Johnson become far less common. For now, families and communities are left to mourn, remember, and hope for a safer future for their children.
