14-Year-Old Murder Suspect Arrested in Tallahassee

A 14-year-old St. Petersburg boy faces a first-degree murder charge after being arrested by U.S. Marshals in Tallahassee.

Franco Harris Thomas is the third teenage suspect to be arrested and charged in connection to the July 8 beating death of Jeremy Mayers.

Brittany Detwiler and Scionti Hill, both 16, were charged with first degree murder in July. But Thomas, the third suspect, had disappeared.

The three teens are accused of beating Mayers with a shotgun, choking the victim and robbing him. Police found Mayers, 20, unconscious on July 8 in his front yard at 3632 Sea Robin Dr. The suspects allegedly had stolen Mayer’s cell phone, wallet and his green 200 Chevrolet Impala, police said.

According to a July report from police, detectives contacted Thomas' family, who secured legal counsel for him. His last known address was in Pinellas Park. Police said the family agreed to turn him over to authorities in July, but failed to follow through and Thomas remained at large.

According to the U.S. Marshal's Service, agents developed information that Thomas was staying at the house of a relative in Tallahassee.

Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m., U.S. Marshals made tactical entry to the residence where Thomas was found inside. According to agents, Thomas tried to flee but was apprehended before he could get out of the house.

Police are also investigating whether charges should be filed against those who may have aided Thomas in hiding from authorities. 

In July, police had said they suspected that Thomas' family was fully aware of his location and actively hiding him to avoid arrest.

St. Petersburg detectives and U.S. Marshals are continuing to investigate the
actions of those individuals who may have been complicit in helping Thomas
flee the area.