Christopher Atkins

Christopher Atkins, now 15 but aged 12 when he was arrested, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, robbery with a firearm and evidence tampering in the 2023 death of 16-year-old Layla Silvernail. Atkins agreed to testify against Tahj Brewton and Robert Robinson, who were 16 and 17 at the time. The three were also accused of killing 17-year-old Michael Hodo Jr. and 16-year-old Camille Quarles. While Atkins was only charged in Silvernail's murder, Robinson and Brewton were charged in all three killings. Robinson was charged with three counts of murder in the first degree, three counts of robbery with a firearm, and one count of tampering with evidence in a criminal proceeding. Brewton was accused of three counts of murder in the first degree and a count each of robbery with a firearm, robbery-carjacking with a firearm or weapon, grand theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, tampering with evidence in a criminal proceeding, and tampering with electronic monitoring device. The victims were found either shot to death or dying in locations across Ocklawaha in central Florida. Silvernail, who had been shot in the head, was discovered unconscious near a dumpster on March 30, 2023 but died in hospital. Hodo was found dead the following morning on the side of a road and had been shot in the back of the head. Quarles was discovered on April 1, 2023, in the trunk of Silvernail's vehicle.