LAKE CITY, Fla. – The Lake City Police Department (LCPD) has made a third arrest following the shooting death of 12-year-old Mariah Smith last year.
Matthew Rice, 17, was taken into custody on Thursday without incident and charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder, according to LCPD.
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Two other teenagers, 14 and 16, were previously arrested in connection to Smith’s death.
“With this third arrest, all the individuals involved in this heinous crime have been identified and charged. I would like to thank the community for their assistance, the State Attorney’s Office and the tireless work of our Detectives in working this investigation.” LCPD Chief of Police Gerald Butler said in a news release. “We understand the impact violent crimes have on our community, and we remain dedicated to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable”.
Smith died in August after shots were fired into her grandmother’s home while she sat on the couch. Investigators don’t believe Smith was the target of the shooting.
A family member said Smith was a sixth-grader who always smiled and loved to dance.
MORE: Lake City dedicates street to 12-year-old shot, killed on couch in August
In December, Lake City Council designated the street formerly known as Long Street to Mariah Reginae Smith Forever 12 Memorial Street in her memory.
Councilwoman Chevella Young said the sign will be a remembrance for people in the community.
“When people come by it will always remind them that this is Mariah, this is what happened to her. Then it will begin to cause people to share the story and hopefully, it will go on for years and years to come,” Young said.
Smith’s mother, Todneisha Filer, said having a street named after her daughter feels good.
“It’s a good feeling. It’s more so of getting the combat and stuff in the gun battle, making sure this doesn’t happen to any other family. If we can help get these young kids off the streets and get them away from guns. I’m all for it,” Filer said.
