Middleburg, FL – A shocking and deeply disturbing incident has unfolded in Middleburg, Florida, where 14-year-old Trevor Lee has been arrested and charged with the murders of his parents, David Lee (44) and Brandi Smith (45), following a reported domestic argument.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Trevor allegedly shot both his parents inside the family’s home before calmly walking to a nearby church, where he dialed 911 and confessed to the killings. Deputies responded immediately and took the teen into custody without incident.
Inside the home, deputies discovered both victims deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities believe the weapon used in the killings was a firearm legally owned by one of the parents and accessible within the household.
A Crime That Stunned the Community
The news has sent shockwaves through the quiet suburban neighborhood in Middleburg, a town just southwest of Jacksonville. Residents and friends of the family say the Lees were well-liked and had no known history of domestic violence.
“It’s unimaginable. They were quiet, good people. You’d never think something like this could happen here,” one neighbor told reporters.
Trevor, now in custody at a juvenile detention center, could face two counts of murder. The State Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the case and is expected to decide soon whether to charge him as an adult.
Sheriff’s Statement
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook called the case “one of the most heartbreaking incidents we’ve faced.”
“To have a 14-year-old involved in a double homicide—against his own parents—is beyond comprehension,” she said at a press conference late Tuesday. “We are doing everything we can to understand the motive and provide support to those impacted.”
Sheriff Cook urged families to speak openly about mental health and to secure firearms responsibly inside the home.
Community Response
Local schools will have grief counselors on-site in the coming days, and a candlelight vigil is being planned to honor the victims. Friends described David Lee as a hardworking father employed in the construction industry, and Brandi Smith as a caring nurse who was dedicated to her family and patients alike.
The tragedy has also reignited critical conversations around teen mental health, parent-child conflict, and gun safety, particularly when minors have unsupervised access to firearms.
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