Arrest Made In Slaying Of Barry University Student

MIAMI, FL — Miami police made an arrest in the slaying of 19-year-0ld Barry University student Priscilla Torres, who was murdered on February 10. Torres was shot multiple times in the area of NW 29th Avenue and 12th Street. She was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center by Miami Fire Rescue where she was pronounced dead.

Officer Michael Vega of the Miami Police Department identified the suspect as 18-year-old Jaime L. Placencia, who was charged with first-degree murder.

Court documents said Placencia was seen on surveillance video arriving at Torres' dorm room at 2:34 a.m. on Feb. 10. He and the victim were seen on video leaving at 3:50 a.m.

Torres' body was found around 4:30 a.m. when someone heard shots and called police.

A witness told police he heard a woman screaming followed by two gunshots, according to court documents. When the witness walked into the street, he saw someone inside a four-door, dark colored vehicle circling the victim and firing two more shots at her.

"The vehicle then circled back around the victim and fled northbound from the area," court documents explained.

Officials did not immediately identify Torres until several members of the media spotted similarities between a police sketch of the murder victim and a missing person in Miami Shores. Torres had been reported missing by her mother in Miami Shores.

"Once officers arrived, they located an unresponsive woman in the area of NW 29th Avenue and 12th Street. The woman appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds," Miami police said at the time.

Miami detectives interviewed Placencia on Feb. 20 after friends of Torres identified him as a friend. At that time, Placencia told police he hadn't seen or heard from the victim since January, according to court documents. Police also said he attempted to conceal a burn on his right hand and then lied about how he got it, saying he had been working on a food truck.

The Nissan Sentra that Torres had been driving was found engulfed in flames in Miami Gardens on Feb. 13. Placencia also lives in Miami Gardens.

Court documents said that the victim's Sunpass showed the car traveling north at 6:51 p.m. on the same day it was found in Miami Gardens. Placencia's cellphone records showed that he was on a similar path at that time.

Shortly before her body was found by police, Torres texted a friend that she was on her way back home to Miami Shores where the school is located. She lived in the college dormitory,

"The motive behind the shooting is unknown," Miami police said at the time.

Barry University released a statement at the time saying, "Words fail to express the shock and deep sorrow that we, her Barry family, are experiencing."

To report a tip, contact the Miami Police Department's Homicide Unit at 305-603-6350. Alternatively, contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471- TIPS (8477), visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or Send a text message to 274637. Enter CSMD followed by the tip information and press send.

Photo courtesy Miami Shores Police Department