Update: Shooters Arrested After 1 Killed, 1 Injured In Pierson Shooting

Date Added: August 08, 2024 8:46 am

Initial news release: One young man was killed and another injured Wednesday night in a shooting in Pierson, and homicide detectives are actively working to identify those responsible.

The shooting in the area of 380 Main St., Pierson, was reported around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday. On arrival, deputies found a car crashed into the wood line along the road with a 17-year-old victim unresponsive in the driver’s seat. The victim had multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies pulled him from the vehicle to perform CPR, but he was pronounced deceased on scene at 10:39 p.m.

There were two others who were in the car at the time of the shooting, including an 18-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to the leg. His injury was non-life-threatening. The other passenger wasn’t injured.

The homicide investigation is active and ongoing and further details will be released when available. Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is asked to contact the VSO Major Case Unit at 386-254-1537 or MajorCase@volusiasheriff.gov.

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Case update #1 (Friday, Aug. 9): A 17-year-old defendant has been arrested in the shooting that killed another 17-year-old in Pierson on Wednesday night.

Tania Lopez Morales, 17 (DOB 12/20/2006), of Pierson, was arrested Thursday and is charged with 1 count of first-degree felony murder and 2 counts of attempted felony murder in the shooting that killed Odie Carbajal of Crescent City and left another victim injured.

Detectives determined Morales contacted Carbajal on Instagram and arranged to meet him in Pierson to purchase a quarter pound of marijuana.

When Carbajal at the meeting location, they were met by three subjects. Morales and another subject approached Carbajal at the driver’s side door, each pointing a firearm with the intent to rob him. During the robbery attempt, the suspects fired their weapons, striking Carbajal as well as a passenger. A third passenger was not hit.

Detectives recovered two 9mm firearms believed to be used in the shooting, along with several spent 9mm shell casings at the scene.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible as detectives gather and review evidence.

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Case update #2 (Sunday, Aug. 11): A second shooter, 15-year-old Martin Martinez (DOB 5/28/2009) has been arrested on 1 count of first-degree felony murder and 2 counts of attempted felony murder.

Detectives located evidence tying Martinez to the homicide after obtaining a search warrant and extracting data from his cell phone.

Martinez was taken into custody Saturday evening at his residence in Pierson.

He is in custody along with Tania Lopez Morales, 17, who was arrested on the same charges Thursday.