Teens Charged In 6-Year-Old King Carter's Murder

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Two teenagers have been charged in connection to the murder of 6-year-old King Carter over the weekend.

Leonard Adams, 18, and Irwen Pressley, 17, are facing attempted first degree murder and second degree murder charges.

Pressley has a history with the law. He was first arrested at the age of 13 for robbery. In 2013, he was charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault. On June 18th, 2014 he was charged with armed robbery with a firearm. The following year was charged with armed carjacking and armed robbery with a firearm.

Meantime, police said they are still looking for an early 2000 black Lexus with possible bullet holes in connection to the case.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez thanked police department and said the work is far from done.

"We still need more information. There may be additional subjects out there that we need to bring to justice. This is an example of when the community comes together with our police department, who has been nationally recognized for its community policing, we can bring people to justice and, also, we need to start to prevent this type of tragedy from happening in the future," said Gimenez.

He went on, "Every community has the right to feel safe, every child has the right to feel safe," added the mayor. "It takes all of us to protect all of us. You just can't rely on the police department or the state attorney. We all have to be involved, if you get involved, we're going to have your back."

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said a group effort made the arrests happen.

"It was community, people working with people, that led to these arrests today," said Fernandez Rundle who was also calling for the community to speak up. "Don't let fear hold our community hostage.

A Carter family friend, Brendan Gaskins, said both of the teens turned themselves in Tuesday night.

"We're glad he turned himself in, we're glad someone did the right thing and did the right move and turn yourself in," said Gaskins.

"There are no winners in this situation. We have a six year old dead, we have black males that lives are ruined," said Pastor Eric Readon.

Carter's father Santonio said he heard that one of the suspects.

"I'm happy they turned themselves. I'm glad the police didn't have to do no stand downs and break down their doors," said Santonio Carter. "I'm glad they willing, God put it in their hearts to do that."

According to their arrest reports, Adams and Pressley got into a dispute with someone on social media with a person named "Ju Ju".

"Right now it appears it was some sort of beef with rival factions. This was all about a beef," said Miami-Dade police Major Calvin James.

Acting police director Alfredo Ramirez III would not say what the 'beef' was over, but did refer to it as cyber bullying.

"What you are seeing is more of this and all I can say is don't get a gun and try to solve this this way," said Ramirez. "If you have a beef, don't get a gun."

Saturday afternoon Adams and Pressley drove to 1205 NW 103rd Lane "with the sole purpose of finding 'Ju Ju' and killing him," according to their arrest reports.

After entering the apartment complex, Adams parked the car after they spotted "Ju Ju" near a stairwell, according to the report. They both reportedly got out of the car and began shooting at him.

"Ju Ju" fired back and hit Adams in the neck. Both Adams and Pressley then got back in their car and sped off.

Carter, who was on his way to buy candy, got caught in the crossfire during a shooting.

A 9mm handgun was found in Pressley's home, according to police, who said it was used in the attack on "Ju Ju."

During questioning, Pressley reported confessed and Adams gave a statement about his involvement in the shooting.

Carter's death sparked outrage in the community.  They marched and rallied through the heart of Liberty City on Monday night.

Police have said the community has helped in their investigation.

"This community is saying enough is enough, they've stepped up, everybody has come together and put their efforts together from different angles. This is what you get when you come together, you get results," said Readon.

Mayor Gimenez agreed.

"The message is as a community we have to be involved. We have to tell our law enforcement agencies if there's a drug house down the street, let us know, because that's going to be a target one day. And who knows that may be your child walking in front of that target one day. If you know there's cyber bullying going on, let us know, it's getting out of hand, we can stop this."

"Don't let fear hold you hostage because tomorrow it could be someone else," said Fernandez Rundle.

Carter's family was heartened with word of the arrests.

There will be a candlelight vigil at the apartment complex Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

A viewing for Carter is schedule for this Friday at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on NW 58th Street in Miami beginning at 4 p.m.

His funeral will be on Saturday at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on NW 135th Street at 2 p.m.