Teen Walked to Church, Asked for Prayer After Confessing to Murdering Parents in Bed. Why Did Trevor Lee Shoot His Parents?
Florida teen Trevor Lee, who confessed to killing his parents before walking to a church to pray, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Police say the August 4 shooting likely stemmed from an argument the 14-year-old boy and his parents had that night, but so far, no clear motive has been revealed.
What is known is that Lee, apparently an only child, shot his parents dead in their bedroom with their own gun.
He eventually proceeded to walk about a mile to Cross Pointe Church, which reportedly could have taken him about 30 minutes. In other reports, Lee reportedly told the 911 dispatcher that he had tried to flag down a cop car before arriving at the church.
Global News reports that, according to First Coast News, “Lee can be heard on the recording telling the 911 operator that he threw his backpack away from him, emptied his pockets and was waiting for police in the ‘middle’ of the church, saying he needed to pray.”
The boy also asked the 911 operator to pray for him as well.
Here are more details from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s August 4 press release:
Lee told dispatchers on the phone he had killed his parents inside their home on Silver Point, located in the Fleming Island area of Middleburg. He then said he was waiting at a nearby church parking lot to be taken into custody.
Deputies responded immediately to both locations. Upon arrival at the residence, they located two deceased individuals inside the home: David Lee, 44, and Brandi Smith, 45.
Both had sustained apparent gunshot wounds. Deputies also made contact with the 14-year-old caller a short distance away. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with two counts of second degree murder.
Based on the preliminary investigation, this appears to be an isolated, domestic-related incident. There is no threat to the community.
Lee reportedly called a close friend after midnight on the night of the shootings.
“He told me that he loved me and he told me that he was just calling to tell me good night,” Kyree Beamon told a local news station. Beamon said he had no idea if Lee called him before or after calling 911.
Law & Crime also has more details about this tragic story.