Florida sheriff scolds reporters over gun control during press conference about murder of 3 teens: 'The bad guy is going to get the gun no matter what laws you have in place'

A Florida sheriff delivered a scathing rebuke of reporters who pushed a gun control narrative during the press conference announcing the arrests of two minors suspected to be connected with a triple murder of teens.

On Friday, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods held a news conference to announce the arrests of two suspects who were charged with first-degree murder. The suspects are 17-year-old Robert Robinson and 12-year-old Christopher Atkins. A third suspect, 16-year-old Tahj Brewton, is still at large, and law enforcement is searching for him.

The minors are suspected of being involved with a string of murders that rocked the small community of Ocklawaha – about 60 miles northwest of Orlando.

On March 30, 16-year-old Layla Silvernail was found bleeding from a gunshot wound on the side of a road where she was reportedly dumped. Layla was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and was declared brain-dead. She died shortly after.

The next day, police discovered the body of a 17-year-old male who was also dumped on the side of a road in Marion County, roughly half a mile away from where Silvernail was found. He had been shot to death. The identity of the victim has yet to be released.

The next day, the Marion County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit, Forensic Unit, and Underwater Recovery Team located Silvernail's vehicle submerged in a body of water. Police found 16-year-old Camille Quarles in the trunk of the car. She also had a fatal gunshot wound.

Woods said all three victims and all three suspects knew each other. He said they were in a "wannabe" or "neighborhood" gang and engaged in burglaries.

"Now, although we had out there and it was gang-related, we have nothing specific to say that it was any rivalry or anything to such that cause. But, however, each and every one of them in some shape or form is associated with a gang," Woods said.

Authorities speculate that the victims were all shot at the same time before their bodies were discarded.

“Basically simple terms, there is no honor among thieves. And at some point, these three individuals turned on our three victims and murdered them," the sheriff hypothesized. "Two of them right there. They fled the scene but left a lot of evidence in their wake."

During a press conference on Friday, Woods slammed reporters for pushing a gun control narrative in reference to the shooting deaths of the three teens.

"There are individuals out there viewing, and includes some of you media, that want to blame the one thing that has no ability or the capacity to commit the crime itself, and that’s the gun," Woods declared. "These individuals committed the crime."

The sheriff noted that the suspects illegally obtained the guns purportedly used in the deadly shootings through car burglaries.

"All the gun laws we got in place didn’t prevent it, did it? Neither will any new ones. Because here’s the fact: The bad guy is going to get a gun no matter what law you put in place," Woods proclaimed. "These juveniles shouldn't even possess a handgun, but they did."

Woods blamed society for not holding the suspected criminals accountable.

He stated, "Our school districts, not just here, across this state and nation, need to quit minimizing the actions of their students. Hold them accountable. That’s where the failure is."

The sheriff added, "I am a father. But here’s the one thing my boys know: Growing up, the freaking barber had my permission to whip their asses."

Woods said he had to "look into the eyes" of the suspects' mothers when he informed them of their son's alleged crimes.

Woods told reporters, "Really, [the suspects' parents] don't have a whole lot to say. If you're a parent, put yourself in their shoes. Holy hell. Panic. I'm scared to death as a parent. Embarrassed. Ashamed. What do you think they're gonna say?"

"I am a father, and I cannot fathom what they were going through," he continued. "These mothers and the mothers across this nation need all of your help."

Florida sheriff: 'The bad guy is going to get a gun no matter what'www.youtube.com

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