The father of a teenager from Florida has come forward to assert that his son is not guilty of the crime he’s been accused of, arguing that he is a victim of external influences and manipulation. This declaration follows the grand jury’s decision to indict the young man on charges of first-degree premeditated murder.

In a conversation with the Pensacola News Journal, Shaun Blevins defended his 14-year-old son, Kimahri Blevins, describing him as a “nerd” and insisting that his character is not aligned with violent behavior. Shaun Blevins expressed disbelief that his son could be involved in such a serious crime.

Kimahri Blevins, alongside 16-year-old Gabriel Williams, was indicted on December 19 in connection to the tragic death of Danika Troy, a 14-year-old girl from Pace. Danika’s body was discovered earlier this month, prompting a thorough investigation by authorities.

According to police reports, the two teens allegedly lured Danika into a secluded wooded area on November 30, where they committed a horrific act by shooting her, pouring gasoline on her body, and setting it ablaze.

Shaun Blevins contends that his son, Kimahri, played a less significant role in the crime than law enforcement suggests. He points to Kimahri’s developmental learning disorder, which he claims results in a mental acuity equivalent to that of a 12-year-old. Describing his son as “oblivious” and a “late bloomer,” Shaun argues that Kimahri lacks the capacity to fully comprehend or participate in such a crime.

Kimahri Blevins was a student at High Road School of Santa Rosa, an institution dedicated to supporting students with specialized academic, emotional, and behavioral needs. This detail adds another layer to the narrative of the young teen’s involvement in the crime, as his father continues to argue for his son’s innocence.

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A witness reportedly claimed Blevins and Williams plotted the murder and that Blevins said that “the initial plan was to shoot Danika once, but Gabriel continued to shoot. They then burned Danika’s body and left the area.”

 “It’s possible Kimahri had a gun to his head being told to help.” his father claimed. “He would not have knowingly done that.” 

“Kimahri’s not going to kill a girl. He’s the type of kid to stand up for someone else. That’s the type of kid he is.”

“He’s my son, and I’ll still be right there with him. I wish Daddy could save him.”

Meanwhile, NBC15 reported that on December 22, Kimahri Blevins appeared in court for a motion for pretrial detention, which was denied. 

The deciding judge, Matt Gordon, approved the state’s request to continue holding Blevins in the Santa Rosa County, deeming him a potential threat to the community.

Blevins’ next scheduled court appearance, according to court records, is February 3, Pensacola New Journal reported.

Williams is also being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned on January 8, according to NBC15.

[Feature Photo: Danika Troy/GoFundMe]