10 hours ago by Lillian Hernández Caraballo (WMFE)
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No charges will be filed against the Brevard County deputy who fatally shot two Black teenagers in Cocoa on Nov. 13.
Sixteen-year-old Angelo Crooms and 18-year-old Sincere Pierce were inside what was believed to be a stolen Volkswagen Passat when they were shot to death by Deputy Jafet Santiago-Miranda.
State Attorney Phil Archer said in his statement that he ran an exhaustive investigation and that, while he knows the boys’ families are hurting, he is basing his decision on “facts and evidence.”
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No charges will be filed against the Brevard County deputy who fatally shot two Black teenagers in Cocoa on Nov. 13.
Sixteen-year-old Angelo Crooms and 18-year-old Sincere Pierce were inside what was believed to be a stolen Volkswagen Passat when they were shot to death by Deputy Jafet Santiago-Miranda.
State Attorney Phil Archer said in his statement that he ran an exhaustive investigation and that, while he knows the boys’ families are hurting, he is basing his decision on “facts and evidence.”
The teenagers were not in a stolen car, but Archer said the vehicle they occupied was “almost identical” to the one reported stolen and that he believes the deputy’s actions at the time were “reasonable and lawful.”
Brevard deputy at center of shooting investigation had record of concerning behavior Eric Rogers, Florida Today
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The Brevard County sheriff s deputy at the center of the officer-involved shooting that killed two Cocoa teens exhibited violent and rash behavior in the months before the November shooting, records showed.
The incidents, previously reported on by FLORIDA TODAY, included a reported physical confrontation and alleged threats against another law enforcement officer, and a violent domestic dispute with his estranged wife.
Brevard Deputy Jafet Santiago-Miranda was placed on administrative leave commonly done following officer-involved shootings after firing on a moving vehicle during an attempted traffic stop, striking and killing 16-year-old Angelo Crooms and 18-year-old Sincere Pierce.