A 19-year-old man is charged with first-degree murder after investigators say he shot and killed his 16-year-old girlfriend, Victoria Perez, during an argument before leaving her body along a Spring Hill road.
Perez was reported missing by her family around 7 a.m. Sunday. She had last been seen Saturday night in the Chiloe Street area of Spring Hill.
About four hours after deputies began searching for her, authorities received a call about a body near 16,500 Crela Drive. Deputies found Perez dead approximately 15 feet off the roadway and identified her as the missing teenager.
Detectives identified her boyfriend, Robert Anthony Timmons, as a suspect after speaking with family members and friends, who described the couple's relationship as "tumultuous" and "toxic," Sheriff Jeff Harrington said.
Investigators say Perez got into Timmons' vehicle around 1:15 a.m. Sunday. The two got into an argument that escalated when Timmons produced a gun and shot her.
Timmons initially lied to investigators about his knowledge of Perez's whereabouts, Harrington said, but he eventually admitted picking her up and shooting her.
After the shooting, investigators say Timmons drove behind the apartment complex and left Perez's body along Crela Drive.
"He callously dumped the body 15 feet off the road. And then he left," Harrington said.
Harrington said investigators were unaware of any previous reports of violence involving the couple. However, Perez's parents were aware of problems in the relationship and had been trying to help their daughter distance herself from it.
"Her parents were engaged. They were trying to get help. They were taking steps to try to insulate her from that type of relationship that she was in," Harrington said.
The sheriff encouraged parents to remain involved in their children's lives and make time to listen when they need help.
"Just communicate, be engaged, be caring," Harrington said.
Investigators are continuing to process evidence, including Timmons' vehicle and an apartment in the complex. They are also searching a nearby body of water where they believe the firearm may have been discarded.
"This was a tragic, tragic event, and we have a 16-year-old young woman who will never see her 18th birthday," the sheriff said.
