- January 15, 2025
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Zaire Roberts, the 23-year-old Palm Coast man shot and killed in an R-Section Palm Coast home on Dec. 29, was killed by a drug dealer he'd shot twice while committing a home-invasion robbery, Flagler County Sheriff's Office detectives have found.
Detectives on Feb. 25 arrested two of Zaire's confederates, 23-year-old Kwentel Moultrie and 20-year-old Taylor Manjarres, on charges of second-degree felony murder and burglary of a dwelling while armed. Both are Palm Coast residents.
"Sometimes, in law enforcement, you have to dance with the devil to get the other devils involved in a crime. This is the disgusting part of our job and the criminal justice system, but it's a stark reality."
— RICK STALY, Flagler County sheriff
Sheriff Rick Staly said in a Feb. 28 news conference that he wished he could have charged the drug dealer, as well. But detectives had needed his cooperation to catch Moultrie and Manjarres.
"All I can say is, sometimes, in law enforcement, you have to dance with the devil to get the other devils involved in a crime," Staly said. "This is the disgusting part of our job and the criminal justice system, but it's a stark reality."
Moultrie, Manjarres and Roberts had planned the robbery of the Regent Lane home under the cover of a marijuana buy, Staly said.
Manjarres had entered the home at about 9:30 p.m. and tried to distract the dealer while Roberts and Moultrie waited outside, but the dealer, who was armed, confronted Roberts.
Roberts shot him twice in the leg and the dealer fired multiple rounds back, striking Roberts in the chest and killing him. The dealer's injuries were not life threatening.
Moultrie and Manjarres fled.
The Sheriff's Office initially had not released information on whether the shooting had been fatal, preferring to let Moultrie and Manjarres speculate.
"This was an investigative tactic to keep the suspects and their friends guessing and active on social media platforms, during the New Year's holiday, that we were monitoring, and frankly, this tactic worked," Staly said.
Under the direct of lead Detective Sarah Scalia, the FCSO's Major Case Unit conducted more than 20 search warrants, completed more than 15 preservation orders for social media accounts and electronic and mobile devices, and held more than 10 hours of interviews. They reviewed more than 50 hours of surveillance footage.
The case was complicated by the drug dealer's reluctance to provide information to detectives.
"Detectives had to use all investigative means at their disposal to get him to confirm what we already knew — he was a drug dealer, and this was a drug rip-off home invasion," Staly said.
He added, "I wish we could charge him, because if he was not selling drugs, this crime likely would not have occurred."
Staly noted that while Florida law doesn't allow people to use the "stand your ground" defense when committing a felony, this case had a gray area: Stand your ground is permitted when defending your home, and the dealer was defending himself against an attack inside his home.
The victim had been inside his parent's house when the shooting occurred, and had been attacked first, Staly said.
"He knocked the gun down, which probably saved his life, and was able to pull his gun and defend himself," Staly said. "So it's a complicated case because of that, because of what his activities were that led up to it. But the fact of the matter is, he's a victim-slash-witness, and we need his testimony to put the other two devils in prison. ... We needed the two that we arrested sent away for a long time."
Deputies arrested Moultrie from a sidewalk at the corner of Bridge Haven Drive and Palm Coast Parkway, and arrested Manjarres after seeing her arrive at her home.
Staly noted that Moultrie had a lengthy criminal history — six felony and four misdemeanor arrests — and had been out on bond for a 2019 sexual battery of a 16-year-old girl. He'd also had prior arrests for armed robbery, aggravated assault and various drug crimes.
Manjarres had previously been arrested for driving on a suspended license and possession of marijuana under 20 grams.
"She went right to the big time, and I hope she enjoys her time in the Green Roof Inn, and soon, state prison," Staly said.
Staly said this kind of crime follows illegal drugs, including marijuana.
"So many people say, when we raid a house and we make arrests about marijuana, 'It's just marijuana,'" Staly said. "Well, this is what happens with 'just marijuana.' ... Illegal activity often attracts and breeds other criminal activity — like home invasions, drive-by shootings, or in this case, a murder — and destroys the quality of life in a neighborhood for law-abiding citizens. So if you're a drug dealer in this county, we are not going to stop until we get your a-- and put you in jail."
