Sunday, August 14, 2005

Reddick, Florida

From the August 10, 2005 Ocala Star-Banner:
REDDICK - Detectives have recovered an assault rifle they believe was used in Monday's double slaying during a botched home invasion robbery.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said the semi-automatic Chinese SKS rifle was thrown from the suspects' vehicle as they fled the scene in Reddick.

On Monday night, Alisha C. Williams led investigators to the 7.62 mm rifle, which had been discarded near North Marion High School, said Capt. Dennis Strow, spokesman with the Sheriff's Office.

Williams is one of two people charged in the slaying.

Detectives are still investigating the shooting death of Roland Debron Jenkins, 36, who was found dead in his home early Monday morning. Investigators say Jenkins was killed in a struggle with armed suspect Eduardo Ballestero, 24, who also died in the robbery. A third suspect, Davon White, 23, sat in a vehicle outside.

Williams and White drove Ballestero to Munroe Regional Medical Center where he died of his injuries, investigators said.

Shortly afterward, Williams and White were arrested on charges of murder and home invasion. They remained in the Marion County Jail on Tuesday without bail.

There were a number of firearms found at the house, but the assault rifle was brought to the house by the three suspects, Strow said.

Tests will be performed to determine if both Ballestero and Jenkins were both shot by the rifle. Ballestero reportedly had two guns with him during the robbery attempt, according to an arrest affidavit.

It is not known if any of the other weapons at the house were used during the robbery, Strow said.

"The investigation continues," Strow said.

...

An autopsy conducted Tuesday by the Medical Examiner's Office revealed that both men died of a single gunshot wound. A bullet penetrated the upper right arm of Jenkins, and entered the torso. Ballestero was shot in the lower abdomen. During the investigation, detectives also found evidence of drugs in Jenkins' home and seized a large amount of cash, Strow said.

Tammy Washington, a family member of Jenkins, called the Star-Banner Tuesday to say that Jenkins was not involved with selling drugs.

"He was family-oriented, friendly and would give someone the shirt off his back."

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