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Lake Wales man faces murder charge after driving victim’s car around, Polk sheriff says

Javorice Tramel, 21, was released from prison in August

Javorice Tramel ((Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.))

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Lake Wales man is accused of shooting a man and taking the victim’s car, according to the Polk Sheriff’s Office.

Javorice Tramel, 21, was initially arrested on Sept. 22 for grand theft of the victim’s vehicle and violation of probation but, records show, he now faces charges of first-degree murder and using a two-way device to commit a felony.

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The victim — Tyrell Bell, 21 — agreed to meet Tramel at his home on Sept. 14, according to investigators. Hours after Bell arrived, he was shot twice in the head at around 1 a.m, deputies said.

At 11 p.m. that day, deputies found Bell’s vehicle at a gas station after Tramel made several stops. They pursued the accused killer on foot but he managed to get away from the deputies. He was later found in Frostproof and arrested on charges of grand theft of a vehicle, burglary of a vehicle and violation of probation.

“A young man who had his whole life ahead of him was brutally murdered by a violent convicted felon who was recently released from prison,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “I commend our detectives for their diligent work on this case and helping bring justice to Tyrell Bell’s family. It is our hope that this violent criminal remains behind bars for the rest of his life.”

Tramel was released from prison on Aug. 12 and was on probation after a burglary of an occupied vehicle.

His criminal history includes 13 felonies and six misdemeanors that span from destroying evidence, domestic violence battery and possession of a weapon by a delinquent adult felon.