LAKE CITY, Fla. – The family of a teenage boy who, police said, was shot and killed by his 15-year-old sister will be in Columbia County court today.
Misty "Ariel" Renee Kornegay and her 11-year-old sister were arrested Monday night and are charged in the death of their 16-year-old brother.
Their parents, Keith and Misty, were also arrested on child neglect charges.
The Sheriff's Office said 15-year-old Misty "Ariel" Renee Kornegay admitted she shot her 16-year-old brother, then walked away from the home with her 11-year-old sister, leaving their 3-year-old sister at home.
Deputies said the shooting happened about 9:30 p.m. at 1205 Sophie Drive in the north part of the county, not far from White Springs.
White Springs police saw the girls walking and stopped them. When officers learned of the homicide, they called the Sheriff's Office to the scene. Deputies found the brother dead on the living room floor from a single gunshot.
"Anytime you come on scene with something this horrific, which you have juveniles or children involved, it's pretty unsettling, even to seasoned law enforcement and deputies," said Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter.
Investigators said the parents were out of town and Ariel Kornegay (pictured) retrieved the handgun used in the shooting from the parents' bedroom. They have not revealed a motive.
Ariel Kornegay was arrested and charged with premeditated murder with no bond. She was taken to the Columbia County Detention Facility. The Sheriff's Office said the 11-year-old assisted her older sister and was also arrested and charged with murder.
After the parents, Keith Kornegay, 37, and 33-year-old Misty Kornegay, returned to town, they were questioned by investigators and were arrested on child neglect charges, accused of failing to properly supervise the children.
They were ordered held without bond.
"You've got a 15- and maybe even an 11-year-old minor charged and it's going to be interesting," said defense attorney Kenny Spears.
The Sheriff's Office is not releasing the name of the boy who was killed, but News4Jax learned he and his sister were students at Columbia High School
"We're told grief counselors will be on hand here at Columbia County High School tomorrow," Hunter said. "Many students don't know what happened yet."
The family's youngest child, a 3-year-old, is in the care of the Department of Children and Families.
"This is a deeply disturbing case that we certainly need to investigate thoroughly," said DCF spokesman John Harrell. "We want to do whatever we can to help the children in this case."
Harrell said DCF will investigate to determine if there was neglect or abuse and then make recommendations about custody, but a judge will have the final say.
"Obviously the first thing that comes to mind is you have four children, and I believe even a younger child at the family home, and you have two parents out of town. That's gooing to raise red flags right there," said Spears.
News4Jax learned that deputies responded to the home in 2010 to investigate a report of inappropriate behavior between the victim and Ariel Kornegay, but no charges were ever filed.
According to Columbia County court records, family member petitioned the Kornegays for a change of custody. No further details on the petition were available.
Records for Misty Kornegay also show a domestic violence issue back in 2010.
"There may be something that the prosecution is looking at and waiting to explore further as to more directly tie the parents to the death of the 16-year-old brother," said Spears.
Columbia County, which didn't have a single murder last year, was rocked by the murder.
"I have faith in God that he's taking care of us. That's all we can do," said resident Debbie Henderson.
All four people arrested are expected to be in court Wednesday morning.