- December 20, 2024
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After a 36-hour investigation, the suspect in the murder of 18-year-old Flagler Palm Coast High School student Curtis Gray has been arrested, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said at a press conference on the afternoon of Sunday, April 14.
Marion Lee Gavins Jr., 17, of Palm Coast, got into an altercation with Gray outside Coin Laundry at 4845 Belle Terre Parkway in Palm Coast at around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, April 13. Deputies found Gray bleeding from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was rushed to Halifax Health, where he died.
Deputies were able to identify Gavins, a previous offender, as a suspect nearly 12 hours after the shooting.
Deputies conducted a felony traffic stop on a car leaving the suspect’s house on Saturday afternoon and, along with a SWAT team, served a search warrant at the residence on Woodfaire Lane in Palm Coast. The vehicle the suspect was in during the shooting was found in the garage, but the suspect was not in the home, and he was not in the vehicle that was previously stopped.
At 11 p.m. Saturday, a first-degree murder warrant was issued for Gavins’ arrest.
“Our team did not give up,” Staly said. “They put the pressure on.”
At around 2 p.m. Sunday, deputies spoke with Gavins’ mom, who wished to turn him in. She agreed to meet at the Sheriff’s District 2 Office in Palm Coast. Gavins turned himself in at 3 p.m.
“These things can end very poorly for the suspect,” Staly said. “I think the mom was trying to keep her son alive because he was obviously making bad decisions. So I’m glad that she did that.”
Staly said he has already spoken with State Attorney R.J. Larizza and requested that Gavins be charged as an adult. There is no known motive “for this senseless killing,” he added.
In addition, Gavins has a criminal history dating back to 2014. He was arrested in October 2014 for sale of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school. He was arrested in 2015 for violation of probation and possession of an 8-inch kitchen knife on school campus. And he was arrested in 2016 for domestic violence.
Gray’s death was the first homicide in Flagler County in 2019.
“This is a tragedy for two families,” Staly said. “One who has lost a son who was an aspiring athlete. And the other whose son will likely spend the rest of his life in prison or possibly face the death penalty.”
Gray was a student at Matanzas High School for 3 1/2 years, where he played football for the Pirates. He transferred to Flagler Palm Coast High School before the start of the second semester and competed on the track team.
Students, teachers, coaches and teammates were all affected by the devastating news of Gray’s death.
Former Matanzas football coach Robert Ripley tweeted on April 13: “No words. Prayers to you and yours. Parents hug your kids. Pirates grow tighter and keep each other safe.”
Ripley later wrote in a Twitter message: “He was a great young man a hard worker and a great teammate. His smile and ability to make others laugh made him that guy that everyone wanted around. Battled some injuries but came to practice everyday and was always willing to do the extra stuff to make us better.”
Others who tweeted in response to Gray’s death:
Former Matanzas teammate Andrew Bodison: “Not lil Curt man... #LLC”
Former teammate Mackenzy Wagner: “Rest in paradise lil bro u deserve so much better than this, but i know god taking care of u on the other side.”
WNZF sports commentator Michael Lischio Jr. tweeted: “Prayers for my #FootballCounty fam this morning. RIP”
FPC football player Devon Conkrite tweeted: “You’re such a bright soul and always had a smile on ur face. You had real goals and dreams to make it out of this place.”
Slater-Dade: “Rest easy Curtis Gray, your hopes and dreams will live through us. #LLC #StopTheViolence”
Mrs Miley: “This young man was a good friend, teammate, a hard worker, always respectful, would be the first to give me a hug when he saw me. His life meant something. His death leaves a hole in all of our hearts. RIP Curtis!”
Flagler Schools Superintendent James Tager gave a statement on Gray’s death on Monday, April 15, at the Government Services Building in Bunnell.
Tager said grief counselors were stationed at both of the high schools, and they will remain in place as long as they are needed. There was a steady flow of students who sought out counseling on Monday morning.
“His coaches, both at Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast High School, spoke of a teenager who had nothing but respect for the coaching and mentorship they offered. Teachers talk of a student who saw the importance of education and the need to put in extra time to succeed in the classroom.”
James Tager, Flagler Schools superintendent
Tager didn’t know Gray personally, but he was still looking forward to shaking his hand at FPC’s graduation on May 30.
“Here in Flagler County, we do not see this level of violence on a regular basis, and I consider us lucky in that respect. So when we see the life of one of our young people taken like this, it is especially tough,” said Tager, holding back tears. “We must not, as a community, get ‘used’ to the violent loss of life of one of our young people.”
The Sheriff’s Office is still actively investigating this case and seeking to make contact with other witnesses.
There have been reports of threats of retaliation against witnesses, according to a news release by the FCSO. Those engaged in such threats could potentially face charges for either written threats to kill or witness tampering. Both crimes are felonies under Florida law.
Deputies encourage anyone with information in this investigation to call the FCSO at 386-313-4911 or email tips to [email protected]. Anyone who feels they are being threatened or that someone is attempting to influence their testimony should report that to the FCSO by calling 911 in an emergency or 386-313-4911 in a non-emergency.
The FCSO is still seeking to speak with Teresa Selgado, who also goes by “Alex.” She is not considered a suspect. The FCSO is encouraging her to provide contact information through either [email protected] or by calling 386-313-4911.
“Learn from the mistakes of others that violence is not going to solve your problems,” Staly said. “Don’t let another life be ruined or lost to senseless violence.”
Brian McMillan contributed to this report.
