WINTER HAVEN -- Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says his detectives have arrested two 16-year-olds in the murder of a 17-year-old who was trying to make a drug deal in a Bartow park.
17-year-old Taigur Taguri was shot to death Monday night at a park near the Bartow Airport. Judd says the suspects were found at a home on Gause Street, not far from the scene of the shooting. Both are charged with first degree murder. One attends Bartow High, the other Fort Meade High.
Judd says they found a 9 millimeter Glock at one of the teen's houses, belonging to the suspected shooter. FDLE quickly connected the gun to casings found at the scene. The serial number doesn't check as stolen, but Judd thinks it was stolen.
The sheriff says one of the teens decided to steal marijuana and they set up a meeting with Taguri, never intending to pay. Taguri was shot several times.
Judd says the shooting suspect has a criminal history, including "robbery by sudden snatching" and battery against his grandmother, who questioned him about a gun in his backpack. He says the two arrested claim membership in a gang on the east side of Bartow.
The sheriff is asking state attorney Brian Haas to consider transferring the two suspects to adult court. He says there are two other suspects who were present and the $5000 CrimeStoppers reward remains in effect for information leading to their arrest.
Additionally, the father of the suspected shooter was also arrested. Judd says deputies found him in possession of meth, marijuana with intent to sell, and a .40-caliber handgun. "The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree," Judd said.
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