HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A 15-year-old murder suspect is back in custody at the Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
Jahmir Moore was on the loose for hours Sunday after surveillance video captured the moment when he escaped from the detention center at around 10:30 a.m.
Moore was recaptured around 9:15 p.m. near his parents’ home along West Keyes Avenue in Tampa by Tampa police and the U.S. Marshals task force.
On Monday, Tampa police said they were launching a new investigation into how Moore was able to escape. He is now being charged with one count of escape from a juvenile detention facility.
He was initially arrested on Dec. 4 in connection to the shooting death of 14-year-old Jevario Buie in April. Jevario’s family found it difficult to process how Moore managed to escape and remain on the loose for as long as he did.
“I think as a society we have underestimated this kid,” Jevario’s grandfather Michael Baldwin said.
Sunday’s shocking turn of events left them worried over their own safety and reopened fresh wounds.
“I’m concerned about my family’s safety; I’m concerned about the community’s safety. This added another additional component to a nightmare to my family’s life, Javario will never get a chance to have children, to never get a chance to experience what high school was like,” Baldwin said.
Police are determining whether any other individuals will be charged with helping Moore escape.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw praised the hard work done by law enforcement to get Moore back off the streets, releasing a statement saying in part, “Let this be a reminder to those who think they can evade Tampa Police, they cannot, and they will be held accountable.”
Tampa police say this remains an active investigation.