by Lake City, FL – A Florida teenager has been found guilty in the brutal killing of 12-year-old Mariah Smith, who was fatally shot while sitting on her couch last year. Authorities say the suspects, involved in a feud with Mariah’s older brother, fired more than 20 bullets into the family’s home before boasting about the shooting on social media.
Second Teen Convicted in the Murder
Matthew Rice, now 18, was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder in connection with the August 2023 killing. His co-defendant, 17-year-old Jayden Burch, was found guilty on the same charges in August, while a third suspect, Jatarious Rashad Fluellen, remains in custody awaiting trial.
According to Lake City Police, the shooting occurred around 9 p.m. on August 24, 2023, at a home on NW Long Street. Officers arrived to find Mariah Smith suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators later recovered 25 shell casings and a laser sight outside the home.
Feud with Brother Led to Deadly Shooting
Detectives later determined that the motive stemmed from an ongoing feud between Mariah’s older brother and the suspects. Authorities say Burch supplied the firearms used in the attack and accompanied Rice and Fluellen to the residence, where they opened fire before fleeing on foot.
Fluellen, who was just 14 years old at the time, was the first to be arrested, followed by Burch in October 2023. A grand jury later indicted Rice in February 2024.
Instagram Messages Expose the Shooters
One of the most damning pieces of evidence was a social media conversation obtained from Instagram, where Burch allegedly bragged about the shooting. According to court records cited by ABC affiliate WCJB, Burch responded to a message asking if he knew about the incident with:
“I know, I did it,”
— followed by a smiling emoji.
Investigators also found Rice’s DNA on the laser sight used in the shooting, which further tied him to the scene. Jurors reportedly deliberated for less than an hour before returning a guilty verdict.
Community Honors Mariah’s Memory
In the wake of the tragedy, Lake City officials renamed the street where Mariah was killed to honor her memory. The new name — “Mariah Reginae Smith Forever 12 Memorial Street” — serves as a tribute to the young girl’s life and a call for peace in the community.
“This is history,” said Mariah’s mother, Todneisha Filer, during the street dedication ceremony, according to a local news outlet.
“No other family should have to go through what I’m going through. I’m praying that we can stop the gun violence.”
Sentencing Ahead
Burch is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, while Rice is set to learn his fate on November 13. Prosecutors say they hope the convictions send a clear message about accountability and the devastating consequences of gun violence.
What do you think — are social media brag posts helping police crack down on youth violence, or showing how deeply the issue runs? Share your thoughts in the comments on race-day-live.com.
