GIFFORD — A Brevard County teen left paralyzed and later comatose following what deputies said was a drug deal turned armed robbery in June, has died. Now, more charges are expected to be filed against the shooter – Antonio Christopher Woods – who was being held behind bars on a variety of charges including attempted felony murder.
The teen, who was 18, died on Friday, sheriff’s officials said. Woods, 21, was arrested the day prior.
“Our detectives are working with the State Attorney’s Office to charge the suspect accordingly,” Indian River County Sheriff’s Sgt. spokesperson Kevin Jaworski said. “The suspect is in custody and gave a full confession.”
The teen underwent treatment at a trauma center. Through a photo lineup, the teen was able to identify Woods as the man who shot him during the botched drug buy, reports show.
Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers posted a video update on Thursday from the Taylor Pointe Apartments parking lot – the location of the shooting and the complex where Woods lived. Flowers announced Woods’ arrest at the complex and thanked the public for their cooperation.
“(Woods) is off the streets. We know there are other people involved in this,” Flowers said in the video. “If you know something about this case, please let us know. Thank you to everybody who helped out with this.”
Antonio Christopher Woods
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Woods, of the 4800 block of 38th Circle, was initially charged with attempted felony murder, shooting or throwing a deadly missile, armed robbery with a deadly weapon and four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Woods was held Monday at the Indian River County Jail on $900,000 bond.
Another Brevard County teen, 17, was also struck by the gunfire during the attempted drug deal. The 17-year-old was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and released later that same day, Jaworski said.
Double shooting
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a shooting about 6:30 p.m. June 27 at Taylor Pointe Apartments, located off 38th Circle. Deputies learned that four people – all from Brevard County – were inside a dark blue Nissan Altima when two of them were struck by gunfire near the back of the complex.
The people inside the car drove to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. The 18-year-old was then flown to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce.
The 17-year-old was treated at Cleveland Clinic and released, sheriff’s officials said.
Detectives combed the area, found several shell casings in the parking lot and spoke with witnesses. Deputies spoke with the 18-year-old at the hospital and learned the shooting stemmed from an attempted marijuana deal, reports show.
The teen told deputies he had never met Woods before the two exchanged messages over Snapchat to set up the narcotics transaction. Phone records showed the pair agreed the teen would sell Woods a quarter pound of marijuana for $550, reports show.
The teen said Woods gave him directions to Taylor Pointe Apartments and told him to park in the back parking lot, deputies said. Woods walked behind the car, and at least three other people came to the car seconds later, all pointing guns toward the vehicle, reports show.
The teen said Woods had an AR-15 style-pistol and approached his door on the front passenger side. Woods grabbed one of three bags of marijuana laying in the center console in the robbery attempt, reports show.
“(Woods) shot as he ran away, hitting the two,” Jaworski said.
Another suspect had reached into the car and grabbed a Glock 19 firearm before the driver sped away, reports show. The driver told deputies that while heading to the hospital, he pulled off on the side of the road and threw the other two marijuana bags into the bushes, deputies said.
Deputies arrested Woods and booked him into the county jail. Woods has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. Sept. 14, court records show.