A quiet Florida community remains in shock after two teenage boys were indicted on first-degree premeditated murder charges for the brutal killing of 14-year-old Danika Troy. The grand jury decision means Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, will face trial as adults, potentially facing life imprisonment or even the death penalty for the November 30, 2025, crime in Pace, near Pensacola.
Danika, described by friends and family as bubbly, funny, and outgoing despite initial shyness, disappeared after sneaking out of her home on her black-and-red electric scooter. Her mother, Ashley Troy, reported her missing on December 1. Tragically, a passerby discovered her charred remains the next day along a wooded trail near Kimberly Road in Floridatown. Identification was possible only through her shoes and nearby scooter.
Investigators allege the boys, classmates who knew Danika from school, lured her to the remote spot under false pretenses. Williams reportedly pretended to reciprocate romantic feelings Danika had for him, gaining her trust. “She thought she was sneaking out to spend time with the boy she loved,” Ashley said. “He had her heart. She would do anything for him.”
Once there, the teens allegedly shot Danika multiple times using a handgun belonging to Williams’ mother. Despite an apparent initial plan for a single shot, Williams continued firing. They then doused her body with gasoline and set it on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. Shell casings were recovered at the scene, and a witness informed authorities of the premeditated plot.
The motive appears tied to a falling out over social media during Thanksgiving break. Danika had reportedly blocked Blevins and made hurtful comments calling Williams “worthless and a gang-banger,” upsetting him. Sheriff Bob Johnson expressed outrage, noting the escalation from online disputes to extreme violence.
Arrests followed swiftly after confessions and evidence linked the boys to the crime. Transferred from juvenile detention to Santa Rosa County Jail without bond, they await arraignment in early 2026. The case highlights growing concerns over youth access to firearms and the dangers of digital conflicts escalating offline.
Ashley Troy grapples with profound grief, describing waves of pain and denial. “There’s an emptiness where we were once three and are now just two,” she shared, referring to herself and Danika’s sister. While praying for maximum penalties, she added, “I don’t hate them. I hate what they did to my baby.” Community memorials have sprung up near the site, with tributes emphasizing Danika’s love for singing, drawing, and making others laugh.
This premeditated act against a trusting teenager has rattled the Panhandle region, underscoring life’s fragility and the devastating consequences of unresolved teen conflicts. As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on justice for Danika and support for her grieving family.
