Suspect in slaying of Palmetto teen held without bond

BRADENTON -- The suspected shooter in the murder of 16-year-old Justin Fabien early Monday is being held without bond.

Jamari Lamon Murray-Barnes, 17, surrendered early Thursday.

On Friday morning, Murray-Barnes made his first court appearance via video conference from the Manatee Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Bradenton. The judge ordered he be held in juvenile custody without bond.

Assistant State Attorney Art Brown said the juvenile custody hold is for 21 days by which time he anticipates making a decision on filing formal charges.

Murray-Barnes is expected to be transferred to the Manatee County jail in a cell block for juveniles, but it is not clear when.

The homicide was discovered after police received a 911 call reporting gunfire at 12:27 a.m. Monday in the 1200 block of 21st Street East in Bradenton.

They arrived to find Fabien with wounds to his head and neck. Despite rescue efforts by police, Fabien was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived at 12:36 a.m.

A witness gave police a description of the suspect's red Chevrolet Heritage High Roof, which was located a couple hours later by the Manatee

County Sheriff's Office. The driver, who had an outstanding warrant, made spontaneous statements about the slaying, according to the sheriff's report.

Following his arrest, the driver told Bradenton police homicide detective James Curulla he drove Fabien, Murray-Barnes and another teen to the home. Fabien and Murray-Barnes got out of the car, and Murray-Barnes reportedly got behind Fabien, shooting him in the neck and back.

Murray-Barnes asked to be dropped off at a home near 75th Street West and Cortez Road following the shooting, the driver told Curulla. When asked why he shot Fabien, Murray-Barnes told the driver Fabien pistol-whipped and robbed him of $1,000 weeks before, he said.

Fabien's sister told the Herald she believed her brother was killed because of a dispute over his gun.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published August 15, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Suspect in slaying of Palmetto teen held without bond ."