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Teen Charged In South Miami Security Guard's Murder

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade Police have made an arrest in connection to the shooting death of a Southwest Miami-Dade security guard over the weekend.

Quintin Lamarr Vicks, 18, is charged with first degree murder and armed robbery in the killing of Lt. Robert Nelson.

According to the bond court judge, Vicks was already on probation for another crime when he was arrested for the Saturday night slaying. 

Vicks was denied bond.

Security guard Robert Nelson was doing his rounds at the Hidden Grove apartment complex on SW 137 Ave. and SW 270 St. Saturday night when he was gunned down after 10 o'clock.

"We heard the shooting like, pop, pop, pop, pop,pop. One after another," neighbor Gloria Pachon told CBS 4's Lauren Pastrana. "I was scared."

"It's a nice neighborhood," Inez Thomas said. "I would have never expected something like that."

Investigators said several shots were fired into Nelson's company car, which crashed into the Crystal Learning Center on SW 138 Ct.

Police said Nelson was pulled out of the car, then stripped of his service weapon and other property.

Cops said they caught up with Vicks not far from the crime scene.

"The victim's identification cards, credit cards and currency were found in the defendant's possession," according to the police report.

"It's sad that he's gone," Thomas said. "He was doing what he does best."

Thomas said Lt. Nelson always made her feel safe, especially in the last few weeks as she stayed late preparing the daycare for the new school year.

"He loved very much what he did," Lt. Nelson's father, Bobby Nelson, said.  "They told me my son was murdered, and the word murder is so devastating and penetrating."

Lt. Nelson's boss at 50 State Security said the field supervisor excelled at his job and will be missed by many.

"It's devastating," John Williams said. "Our sympathies go out to his family... We can't imagine what this is like until it happens."

A woman who identified herself as Vicks' mother told Pastrana her son has a 10-month-old child.

The woman, who would only say her name is Lateisha, said police have arrested the wrong man.

"He got mixed up in this. I feel sorry for the man. I'm sorry this happened because I wouldn't wish this on anyone," she told Pastrana.  "But my son is not the person they're looking for."

As she defends her son, Bobby Nelson remembers his.

"He was honest. He was dependable. He didn't bother anybody," Nelson said. "I loved him. His family loves him and we're going to miss him. Miss him dearly."

According to the arrest affidavit, 3 other people were involved in the robbery and murder.

Anyone with information about the case should contact Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).

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