Jevario Buie murder: 15-year-old arrested and charged with first-degree murder

TAMPA, Fla. – A 15-year-old is charged with murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Jevario Buie, according to Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw.

“I know who now,” Buie’s mother, Jasmine Baldwin, said through tears. “Now I want to know why.”

Bercaw said investigators worked tirelessly to find Jevario’s killer, although few details were known and cooperation was “limited.” Now, 231 days after Buie’s murder, Bercaw believes they have his killer: 15-year-old Jahmir Moore.

On April 17, Buie was found dead near the train tracks between Busch Boulevard and Rome Avenue. Police went to the scene after receiving reports of shots fired in the area.

His grandfather previously said Buie went near the train tracks because he thought he was standing up to a bully. Instead, he says Jevario was ambushed and killed.

In May, police released surveillance video showing Buie walking with two young men shortly before his death. According to police, Moore was identified as one of the people who left with Buie.

Police said at 3:33 p.m., Moore and Buie were seen on video walking north on N. Rome Avenue toward a dead end near where Buie was found. Investigators said Moore was the last known person to be with Buie minutes before the murder.

Three minutes later, Moore was seen leaving the scene. Jevario was not with him.

Bercaw said they believe Buie was lured to the area but are still determining whether the intent was always to shoot him.

Bercaw said investigators were able to determine that the 15-year-old was responsible based on messages sent by Moore.

Investigators said they were able to find records of Moore’s communications with Buie before the murder, as well as social media messages, notes and search histories that linked him to Buie’s death.

According to police, Moore provided details about Buie’s murder in a social media message that had not been made public.

On December 4, police and U.S. Marshals took Moore into custody.

Bercaw said Moore is charged with first-degree murder, carrying a concealed firearm, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a minor. Prosecutors said they intended to charge him as an adult.

“Young people don’t get a ticket and are held accountable,” Bercaw said.

Jasmine Baldwin fought back tears Thursday after Moore’s arrest was announced.

“I’ve been living in a nightmare since I lost my son, and now I can come to terms with it a little,” she said to her family. “Thanks to the investigators, I now know who, now I need to know why.”

“Jevario was a good boy,” his grandfather, Michael Baldwin, said Thursday. “And he had the rest of his life ahead of him that we were hoping for.”

He went on to say that this has an impact on Jevario’s little sisters, who still attend the same school as him.

His family will remember Jevario as a budding soccer player and prankster.