Jarius J. Cook, a 21-year-old African American man from DeLand, Florida, was killed on March 19, 2020. He was found deceased in the driver’s seat of a burning vehicle near Delaware and Beresford avenues. The medical examiner ruled his cause of death as gunshot wounds to the neck and head; the fire did not cause his death.

Investigators say the incident began as a robbery that turned deadly. Three people were indicted: Zachariah Sanders, 23; Fredryonna Grimes, 18 (reported as 17 at the time of the murder); and Cameron Lane, 17. All three were charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. Prosecutors reported a witness provided information that matched evidence not released publicly, and digital forensics and other evidence were said to link all three to the robbery and murder. Grimes pleaded no contest to principal to first-degree murder and principal to robbery with a firearm and received a 40-year sentence. Lane received a 48-year sentence; both Grimes and Lane will have their sentences reviewed after serving 15 years. Sanders was reported as still awaiting trial.

Family members described Jarius as a young father and have expressed grief while saying they hold no hatred toward the suspects and are praying for them. Does anyone in the DeLand area have information about Jarius’s last known movements or the people involved?