Expand / Collapse search
☰

15-year-old murder suspect captured after escaping from juvenile detention center, officials say

By and
Updated  December 9, 2024 4:58am EST
Tampa
FOX 13 News

Escaped teen murder suspect caught

Tampa police say they caught 15-year-old Jahmir Moore on Sunday night after escaping from a juvenile detention facility that morning. Moore is accused of killing 14-year-old Jevario Buie in April.

TAMPA - Tampa police say they have captured 15-year-old Jahmir Moore after he escaped Sunday morning from the Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

Moore was originally arrested on Wednesday in connection to the death of 14-year-old Jevario Buie, who was last seen alive on surveillance video with a group of people on April 17. His body was found near railroad tracks in the area of Busch Blvd. and Rome Ave.

Moore was arrested without incident shortly after 9:15 on Sunday night after being on the run since mid-morning. Tampa police say he was taken back into custody on the 100 block of West Keyes Avenue with the assistance of the US Marshals Task Force.

Mugshot of Jahmir Moore. Courtesy: Tampa Police Department.

Mugshot of Jahmir Moore. Courtesy: Tampa Police Department.

"Tonight, the family of Jevario Buie and our community can rest knowing a dangerous individual is back in custody," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. "I am incredibly appreciative of the officers who worked tirelessly since this morning when they were alerted of Moore's escape.  Let this be a reminder to those who think they can evade Tampa Police, they cannot, and they will be held accountable."

Moore was being held at the Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center in the custody of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. The agency is investigating how the escape happened.

READ: Bartow man accused of killing father, injuring mother arrested in Orlando, PCSO says

Video provided by a nearby business showed Moore running westbound from the facility around 10:45 on Sunday morning.

Major Pat Messmer with the Tampa Police Dept. says the State Attorney's Office will likely now charge Moore as an adult for Buie's murder.

Pictured: Jevario Buie. Courtesy: Tampa Police Department

"I believe they've already indicated that they do plan to charge him as an adult for the homicide.," Messmer said. "There's a grand jury because he was charged with first degree murder. That's supposed to have a grand panel. That was supposed to be done sometime this week."

Press play below to watch FOX 13 News

    STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:

    TampaCrime and Public Safety