Teenagers Charged with First-Degree Murder After Fatal Shooting in Polk County
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Two teenagers have been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly killing a man in a botched robbery over a $400 marijuana deal, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Authorities say 16-year-old Charles Andrew Jackson III used an AK-47 to fatally shoot 22-year-old Juan German-Garo Jr. after luring him to a Frostproof neighborhood under the pretense of buying drugs.
Fatal Shooting in Frostproof
According to investigators, Jackson III used an app to arrange the purchase of marijuana from German-Garo Jr. on Sunday. The victim traveled from Eagle Lake to meet the teen at an address in Frostproof. When he arrived, Jackson III and 15-year-old Tyjhae Allen approached his vehicle and spoke with him for several minutes.
Sheriff Judd said that during the interaction, Jackson III retrieved an AK-47 from Allen’s backpack and opened fire, striking German-Garo Jr. three times.
“He is obviously mortally wounded,” Judd said. “His foot moves off the gas pedal, and the car rolls forward about a block down the street before coming to a stop.”
After the shooting, both teenagers fled the scene. A 911 call alerted authorities, and witnesses provided descriptions of the suspects.
Police Investigation and Arrests
As the suspects ran from the crime scene, Allen dropped his backpack in the street but returned moments later to retrieve it before heading home.
Detectives canvassed the area and located Allen based on witness descriptions. Meanwhile, Jackson III contacted his father, Charles Andrew Jackson Jr., to pick him up.
When investigators arrived at Jackson III’s home the next day, they questioned his father about his son’s whereabouts. According to Judd, Jackson Jr. denied knowing his son’s location while simultaneously texting him to flee.
“While we’re there talking to him, he starts texting and erasing texts,” Judd explained. “He is texting his son and told him, ‘Run! The cops are after you!’”
Jackson Jr. was immediately arrested for tampering with evidence and accessory to first-degree murder. His criminal record includes 25 prior felonies and 14 misdemeanors, with past convictions for battery on the elderly, simple battery, fleeing law enforcement, and grand theft.
“This guy’s a bad dude, and his son is a murderer,” Judd said.
Jackson III, despite committing the crime the night before, attended school at Lake Wales High School on Monday morning. Later that afternoon, he turned himself in to authorities.
Ongoing Search for the Weapon
Polk County investigators are still searching for the AK-47 used in the shooting. Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the firearm. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477).
Charges and Potential Sentencing
Both Jackson III and Allen face first-degree murder charges, along with additional charges related to the robbery and evidence tampering.
- Charles Andrew Jackson III: Charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, and tampering with evidence. He was previously arrested in 2022 for possessing a firearm as a juvenile.
- Tyjhae Allen: Charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, tampering with evidence, and providing false information to law enforcement. He was previously arrested in 2021 for criminal mischief.
Sheriff Judd has stated that he will ask the State Attorney’s Office to try both teens as adults. If convicted, they face the possibility of spending the rest of their lives in prison.
