Detectives Arrest 14-Year-Old for First-Degree Murder in Lealman Shooting (24-099)

LEALMAN – Detectives assigned to the Homicide & Robbery Unit have charged a 14-year-old with first-degree murder after a shooting in Lealman.

According to detectives, on July 25, 2024, at approximately 10:52 a.m., deputies responded to the intersection of 27th Street North and 59th Avenue North in Lealman after reports of shots fired and a victim lying in the roadway. When deputies arrived on scene, they found the victim, 39-year-old Leslie Fernandez lying face down in the roadway with apparent gunshot wounds to her upper body. Deputies performed life-saving measures until the fire department arrived on scene and transported her to the hospital. Fernandez was pronounced deceased a short time later.

Throughout the course of the investigation, and through investigative techniques, detectives identified the suspect as 14-year-old Jaevion Darrell Harvey, who was observed fleeing the area on his bicycle after the shooting occurred.

On July 26, 2024, detectives executed a search warrant on Harvey’s residence located at 5900 29th Street North in Unincorporated St. Petersburg. During the search warrant, detectives located a firearm confirmed to be used during the shooting. Also located during the search were numerous other firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition,3.8 kilograms of cocaine, 53 grams of crack cocaine, 3 grams of MDMA, and $184,964 in U.S. currency.  

When detectives interviewed Harvey, he confessed to shooting Fernandez at random. Harvey informed detectives he got the firearm from his father, 37-year-old Jarvis Spencer’s bedroom.

Spencer has a lengthy criminal history, including 15 felony convictions. 

Harvey was charged with one count of Murder in the First Degree and transported to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center.

Spencer was uncooperative with detectives and was arrested and charged with seven counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition, one count of Possession of a Firearm with Altered Serial Number, one count of Armed Trafficking in Crack Cocaine, one count Armed Trafficking in Powder Cocaine, one count of Grand Theft Firearm, and was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

Next of kin has been notified. 

The investigation continues.

Summary:

Jaevion Darrell Harvey (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 09/02/2009
Address: 5900 29th Street North, Unincorporated St. Petersburg

Jarvis Armand Spencer (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 07/31/1986
Address: 5900 29th Street North, Unincorporated St. Petersburg

Leslie Torres Fernandez (Victim - Deceased)
DOB: 10/18/1984
Address: 3301 58th Avenue North Lot 247, Unincorporated St. Petersburg