In a deeply disturbing incident in Florida, two teenage boys have been charged with the murder of a 14-year-old girl, whom they allegedly shot and set ablaze on a secluded walking trail. Authorities have described the crime as “horrific.”

Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson confirmed in a press briefing on Thursday that the deceased has been identified as Danika Troy. Her mother had reported her missing as a runaway on Monday.

“Danika was tragically killed the night before her mother filed the report, unbeknownst to her,” Sheriff Johnson revealed.

Danika’s body was discovered by a passerby in a wooded area off Kimberly Road in Pace, a small town situated approximately 16 miles from Pensacola. The passerby immediately contacted emergency services, according to Johnson.

Authorities believe that the suspects were school acquaintances of the victim. Investigators are actively working to uncover the motive behind this appalling act, Sheriff Johnson added.

Investigators quickly identified the suspects as 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins and 16-year-old Gabriel Williams and took them into custody.

“This is where it gets really horrific,” Johnson said.

Kimahri Blevins, 14, is facing premeditated first-degree murder charges. Authorities are seeking to charge him as an adult. (Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office)

Williams allegedly stole his mother’s handgun and shot Danika.

“It’s bad enough you kill a 14-year-old. You’re 14. You’re 16,” Johnson said. “Shoot her multiple times, and then they set her on fire.”

Gabriel Williams, 16, is facing premeditated first-degree murder charges. Authorities are seeking to charge him as an adult. (Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office)

Johnson said investigators are still working to determine a motive.

“They have been interviewed, but the motive that they’re giving doesn’t fit the forensics or any facts of the case, so we don’t have a legit motive,” he told reporters.

Blevins and Williams supposedly knew the victim from school, according to Johnson. He believed the two teens have had previous “run-ins” with law enforcement, though he could not immediately say if they had earlier arrests.

Blevins and Williams are being held at the Department of Juvenile Justice on premeditated first-degree murder charges. 

“You don’t want to go out and see a burnt child with bullet holes,” Johnson said. “That’s not something you sign up for.”

Johnson said no parents have been charged at this time, though investigators are “looking into it.”

The sheriff’s office is working with the State Attorney to charge both teens as adults.

“If you do an adult crime, you gotta do adult time,” Johnson said.