According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a group of suspects who rented an Airbnb to run a marijuana trafficking operation were caught on a doorbell camera carrying a shooting victim out of the home before he died.
Xavier Antonio Johnson, 29, of St. Petersburg, had rented an Airbnb in Davenport on April 8. Polk County deputies said Johnson and his associates were selling marijuana from the Acorn Court residence, which is located in a scenic cul-de-sac in the small Florida town of just 9,000 residents.
On April 13 at about 8.30 pm, three unidentified men entered the house and shot Johnson. They were then caught on camera carrying Johnson’s body out of the house, police said.
Upon further investigation of the security footage, the police saw the two murder suspects enter the home and, about five minutes later, run out. One of the suspects is seen holding a gun as he quickly exits the property. Then, the three men are seen carrying out Johnson’s body. The victim was driven to a hospital where he died, and the three men fled the scene.
Watch the video below:
Watch it here: Fox13Tampabay/Youtube
On Saturday, the Daily Mail reported a press release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the statement reads:
“According to the investigation so far, Johnson and his associates had been selling marijuana from the house since April 8, 2022, when they took occupancy. Around 8:30 p.m. on April 13th, unknown suspects went inside the house and shot the victim. One of the suspects was carrying a gun. If you have any information about this murder please call us at 863-298-6200 or contact Heartland Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous and be eligible for a $5,000 cash reward.”
Then reports confirmed that the primary suspect identified from the security footage is now in police custody. Justin Jenkins, 29, the primary suspect has an extensive criminal record, including 35 felonies and 20 misdemeanors, as well as three separate stays in state prison.
On Monday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced that the three men seen carrying the dead body out of the home have been identified.
The Sheriff’s Office, however, is not releasing their identities.
According to Judd, detectives have not established the relationship between Johnson and the three people captured on video carrying him out of the house.
Judd also said Johnson was not the person who rented the home from the Airbnb owners and that the owners are “certainly innocent.”
Here’s what Judd told the reporters:
“This case is far from over but what we need is his partner. His partner that helped murder someone. Justin Jenkins and his partner came all the way from South Daytona to Davenport, Florida, to as they say, ‘hit a lick,’ to rob at gunpoint a dope dealer, a marijuana dealer and in the process, murdered the guy.”
Sources: 100percentfedup, DailyMail
