Florida – In a deeply unsettling act of family betrayal and senseless violence in Florida, a 20-year-old man, identified as Rae’quan S., was gunned down earlier this year by his own 17-year-old sister, identified as Daeshia S., and her 19-year-old friend, identified as Elton H. Authorities have since arrested both suspects and charged them in connection with the February killing that left the community shaken.
Rae’quan was fatally shot on the night of February 7. The sheriff’s office said Rae’quan was standing on the side of the street around 11:55 p.m. when multiple gunshots erupted in his direction. Investigators later confirmed that Rae’quan’s sister, Deashia, and her 19-year-old friend, Elton, were both allegedly responsible for the fatal attack. The shooting was first detected by the ShotSpotter system, which alerted deputies to 39 rounds being fired in the area. When law enforcement arrived, they found shell casings scattered across the block, indicating a chaotic scene. Rae’quan had already been transported by two unidentified individuals to HCA Florida’s freestanding emergency room, where he was pronounced dead about 45 minutes after the shooting.
The case took a harrowing turn when investigators learned that Rae’quan’s younger sister was possibly involved. According to court documents, a witness came forward on April 23 and identified both Deashia and Elton as the shooters. The witness reportedly had a “firsthand account” of the incident, telling detectives that the two suspects “saw the victim standing on the side of the street and discharged their firearms towards the victim, then fled the scene.” Detectives later obtained cellphone data which placed Elton at the crime scene. He was arrested Wednesday at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building courthouse and brought in for questioning at the sheriff’s office homicide dureau. Though he denied any involvement, the mounting evidence, including witness testimony and forensic analysis, led to his arrest.
Adding to the weight of the case, the firearm allegedly used by Deashia was recovered during a search warrant executed at her home. The gun was forensically linked to Rae’quan’s murder, confirming its use in the shooting. Investigators also learned from Daeshia’s mother that the teen had intentionally hidden the weapon at home. In a statement to police, Deashia herself reportedly confessed to her mother that she was in the vehicle used during the homicide and that the plan was to “do a drill” on someone named Rashad—though Rae’quan ultimately became the target. Both Daeshia and Elton were arrested earlier this month, with Deashia already in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a separate firearm possession charge. They have since been formally charged with second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
The murder of Rae’quan by his own sister and her companion has left friends, family, and the community in disbelief. What led to the fatal confrontation remains unclear, and the motive has not been fully explained. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if others were involved or aware of the plan. As of now, both suspects remain behind bars without bond, and the legal proceedings are expected to continue in the coming months. No court dates have been publicly announced for trial, but prosecutors appear determined to pursue the case to its fullest extent. This tragic case serves as a grim reminder of how easily firearms and personal disputes can lead to irreversible outcomes—even among family.
