18-year-old arrested in botched armed robbery leading to teen's shooting death: WHPD
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - An 18-year-old is facing multiple charges, including murder, after Winter Haven police say he and a 17-year-old tried to rob a driver, who then shot and killed the 17-year-old.
Robbery attempt leads to gunfire
What we know:
According to the Winter Haven Police Department, Devonta Washington, Jr., 18, and a 17-year-old boy made arrangements with another 18-year-old to buy a cellphone.
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The robbery victim pulled into the Abbey Lane Apartments around 1 p.m. Monday, police said, and was attacked by both Washington and the 17-year-old, who hit him with the butt of a gun.
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WHPD said the driver moved into the backseat of his Kia Soul and shot the 17-year-old, then drove off as Washington ran away to a nearby neighborhood.
![Winter Haven police say a botched robbery attempt led to a 17-year-old's shooting death on Monday.](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox13news.com/www.fox13news.com/content/uploads/2025/01/932/524/apt-shooting-winter-haven.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Winter Haven police say a botched robbery attempt led to a 17-year-old's shooting death on Monday.
Detectives tracked down Washington, who told them that he helped the 17-year-old arrange the robbery attempt.
![Photo of Devonta Washington, Jr. Courtesy: Winter Haven Police Dept.](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox13news.com/www.fox13news.com/content/uploads/2025/01/932/524/devonta-washington-jr-mug-with-name.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Photo of Devonta Washington, Jr. Courtesy: Winter Haven Police Dept.
Officers arrested Washington on a list of charges:
- Second-degree murder
- Robbery with a firearm
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- Tampering with physical evidence
What we don't know:
Winter Haven police did not release the names of the teen who died or the robbery victim who fired the deadly shot.
The Source: This story was written using information provided by the Winter Haven Police Department.
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