A Central Florida judge sentenced Ja’Marion Strange to 45 years in prison for the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy. Strange was 16 years-old in 2021 when he opened fire on the victim who was riding scooters with his brother at the Lee Davis Community Center in Tampa.
The State Attorney’s Office charged Strange as an adult, and a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in November. While first-degree murder charges generally carry a mandatory life sentence, because Strange was a juvenile at the time of the crime, a judge can depart from those guidelines.
Jurors heard from eyewitnesses at the trial who testified that they saw Strange shoot and kill the 13-year-old victim. Surveillance video also shows Strange’s car at the scene, while bullets that match the casings at the crime scene were also found inside of his car.
“The victim in this case was a child who was riding a scooter with his brother when his life was cut short,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez. “I hope this lengthy sentence sends a strong message to juveniles who endanger our community by resorting to gun violence. Your age will not protect you from being held accountable in Hillsborough County. While this sentence cannot bring his life back, I hope the victim’s family takes comfort in knowing this criminal is behind bars for the next four decades.”
The State Attorney’s Office of the 13th Judicial circuit encompasses all of Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City.
