Orlando police have arrested a 15-year-old boy who they believe is responsible for the murder of a 60-year-old U.S. veteran mother at a shopping plaza earlier this year.
On Friday, June 9, Samuel Stevens was taken into custody by Orlando Police Department detectives on a charge of first degree murder with a firearm. Stevens is accused of shooting and killing 60-year-old Angela Sutton-Washington on February 7, 2023.
During their investigation, police determined that Sutton-Washington was not the intended target of the attack. Earlier this year, photos were provided showing multiple witnesses that were at the scene of the crime at the time in question.
Detectives obtained surveillance video in the days that followed the shooting that showed a vehicle of interest in the moments leading up to and after the shooting. They identified the vehicle as a dark, four-door, Mazda 3, and believed that the suspect was in the vehicle during the shooting.
Sutton-Washington, a 60-year-old mother and veteran of the United States Army, was found suffering from gunshot wounds at around 6:51 p.m. at the plaza, which is located at 5100 North Lane.
In the months since Sutton-Washington’s death, friends and family have shown an outpouring of love for the woman. On the day she was killed, she posted the following statement on her Facebook page:
“Dear God, You love us even when we go astray and wander. Help us to stay always in Your sheepfold, that we might receive Your love and care.”
Earlier this year, officials offered a $10,000 reward for information that led to the arrest of Samuels.
“Through relentless efforts of our homicide detectives, along with cooperation from the community and Crimeline, a suspect has been captured,” reads a statement issued by the Orlando Police Department.
Samuels, who turns 16 years old on June 18, was processed at Orlando Police Headquarters on June 9.