Second man sought in Sunday night homicide surrenders at St. Lucie County jail, according to Sheriff Mascara
Juantavias Jones, 18, surrendered this morning at the St. Lucie County jail on charges of premeditated first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm, according to Sheriff Ken J. Mascara,
“Juantavias Jones, of 2501 Iroquois Ave., Fort Pierce, fired the gunshot that killed Christopher Hilton, 25, of Port St. Lucie, late Sunday night,” Sheriff Mascara said. “Monday, we arrested Derry Barron, 21, of 2714 Niagara Ave., Fort Pierce, and charged him with robbery and felony murder.”
The Sheriff said: “I want to thank all the members of the community who provided us with information through phone calls and interviews. I am also sure that community pressure led to the surrender of Juantavaias Jones this morning.”
Detectives will question Jones today. He will be held without bond until a county court hearing Wednesday morning. Jones will remain confined at the jail for the hearing, and the judge will be connected to a secure area of the jail by video and audio links.
The murder took place at 2714 Niagara Ave. around 11:30 Sunday night. A cell phone call to 9-1-1 sent deputies to the area north of Fort Pierce, south of St. Lucie Boulevard and west of U.S.1. Deputies canvassed the area on foot and discovered Hilton’s body behind 2714 Niagara Ave.
St. Lucie County Fire Rescue paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Deputies found Barron hiding in a closet at the Niagara Avenue address where the murder and robbery took place. Late Monday afternoon, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Jones, who surrendered at the jail 15 hours later, Sheriff Mascara said.
