PALM BAY, Fla. – Palm Bay police are investigating the deaths of two teens found in a part of the city known as the “Compound.”
Police confirm the two teens were found dead around 8:30 p.m. on Christmas.
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When officers arrived on the scene, they said they initially found one victim with gunshot wounds. A short time later, a second victim with gunshot wounds was found during a perimeter area search while looking for more evidence, police said.
Police said the victims are a 16-year-old and a 14-year-old.
The mother of the 14-year-old victim identified her son to News 6 as Jeremiah Brown, a Bayside High School freshman, and shared family photos of the teen.
The Brown family shared the following statement with News 6 Tuesday and asked that donations be sent directly to Buggs Funeral Home in Melbourne.
We the family of Jeremiah Brown are grieved because of the violence that plague our community with guns. Jeremiah had a short but well-lived life. The second child of five children. Isaiah, Jeremiah and Elijah were called the Bible brothers. Jeremiah was very kind loving and respectful. We as a Christian family trust God for a speedy resolution for this case. We pray for the person or persons that committed this heinous act. Buying a gun is easier than buying a pack of gum from a grocery store. Jeremiah Brown came from a family of love not hate. He was on the family prayer line every third Sunday youth in action. Chrisel Brown, Dorian Small and the family thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns.
Police did not identify the 16-year-old victim.
“Every available resource to the Palm Bay Police Department is getting used at this point to try to find out any motives and or person or persons of interest,” Palm Bay Police Lt. Michael Roberts said. “And we ask if anybody has any information please call the Palm Bay Police Department or call Crimeline tips. You can remain anonymous, but we will take any information that we can get from the public at this point.”
The “Compound” is an abandoned housing development in southwest Palm Bay near the intersection of J.A. Bombardier Boulevard and Kentucky Drive, typically used for ATVs and other activities, that is 12.2 square miles, according to Lt. Roberts.
On Christmas, Roger Holloway, who lives close to the Compound, said he saw the emergency response.
“I think there have been other times that bad things have happened out here,” Holloway said. “Most people just come out here to play.”
Anyone with information on what happened is asked to call the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3456 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.
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