INTERLACHEN, Fla. -- A 16-year-old Putnam County boy was stabbed to death Saturday night, and less than a day after a 20-year-old was arrested and charged with the crime, the suspect's mother's home was set on fire, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said Raynardo Angel Perez was stabbed twice in the abdomen by Johnny Junior Ayala just before 7 p.m. Saturday. Neighbors and friend said the two were friends
Witnesses at the scene told investigators that Perez, Ayala and another friend were playing video games at Ayala's house when an argument started as Perez was leaving. According to detectives, Ayala went inside the house, then stepped back outside and asked Perez if he wanted to fight. Perez said he did, walked toward Ayala and "took a fighting stance."
Before any blows were exchanged, Ayala stabbed Perez, then ran, according to deputies.
"Somebody got stabbed," a caller told the Putnam County Sheriff's Office 911 operator. "We need somebody sent out here. Hurry, the boy is bleeding."
Perez was taken by air ambulance to Shands-Gainesville Medical Center, where he died later that night.
Detectives said they found Ayala hiding at a residence on North 24th Street in Palatka just after 3 a.m. Sunday. He was taken to the sheriff's office, interviewed and arrested. Ayala was booked into the Putnam County Jail charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony. His bond was set at $75,000.
"He is showing remorse, he is upset about what happened -- it was his friend that he killed," Riddick said. "He still knows that he did it and admitted it."
Just before 3 a.m. Monday, authorities received a 911 call that Ayala's mother's mobile home was on fire. When officials arrived, the home was engulfed in flames. Several Putnam County volunteer fire departments responded and put out the fire.
There was no one at the home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.
Fire personnel on the scene said the fire was the result of arson, and the Putnam County fire marshal and state of Florida fire marshal were notificed.
"Logic would put two and two together," said Putnam County Sheriff's Office Maj. Keith Riddick. "I mean, it's obvious, in our opinion, that's it's in retaliation for a homicide."
The small community of Interlachen was shocked by the violent crime between friends.
"They were actually playing and joking around," a woman who did not want to give her name told Channel 4's Casey Black. "I didn't see any problem."
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at 386-329-0800, or call Crimestoppers at 888-277-8477.
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