Police in south Florida announced Wednesday that a man was arrested in Miami for the stabbing death of a 14-year-old boy on Nov. 15. The killing was described as a "completely random act."
Semmie Lee Williams Jr., 39, who is believed to be homeless, was charged with first-degree murder for the killing of Ryan Rogers, according to Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Clinton Shannon.
Rogers had gone on a bike ride on the night of his death. His body was found alongside an Interstate 95 overpass the day after being reported missing.
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Police in South Florida say a 14-year-old boy who went out for a bike ride was stabbed to death in a "completely random act" by a homeless drifter: "I would describe it as an innocent child victim having a chance encounter with a very violent criminal." https://t.co/XnYDnwadZk
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@FOX13News)
“It appears to be an absolute chance encounter between a child on a bicycle and an 'animal' that should probably not be out on our streets,” said Shannon.
Rogers had been stabbed multiple times in the head and face, according to police.
Rogers’ cell phone showed he had stopped moving at 7:31 p.m. on the night of his death. Surveillance video showed Williams entering the area, according to police. DNA evidence on a pair of headphones found near Rogers’ body was swabbed and matched Williams.
Detectives were able to track down Williams by using footage from his YouTube channel where he rants about conspiracy theories, the New York Post noted. When police located Williams they found a blood-stained bandana in his backpack that was a mixture of his and Rogers.
Williams' previous criminal record includes assault and battery, domestic assault, and the strangling of a 65-year-old man. He had previously served four years in jail and spent time in a mental hospital.
