Japree Marcus was 19 and described by his family as intelligent, talented, and kindhearted when he was shot dead on the evening of July 31, 2024. Marcus and his girlfriend had stopped for gas in Parkland and he walked toward a nearby business. Multiple gunshots were heard; deputies found him in the street near the 11800 block of Pacific Avenue South around 6:39 p.m. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators recovered a firearm, shell casings, and live ammunition from the roadway and his girlfriend witnessed the shooting.

Detectives say the killing may have been tied to a confrontation the week before between Marcus and a 15-year-old, with Marcus allegedly having recorded a rap song about that incident. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Marcus approaching a suspected illegal marijuana shop on the day of the shooting; the 15-year-old allegedly left the building, opened fire, and continued shooting as Marcus ran and fell. A 15-year-old was arrested in Auburn on August 5, 2024, and charged in juvenile court with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The investigation was described as ongoing.

If anyone witnessed the shooting or knew Marcus and has information that could help investigators, please come forward.