JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 13-year-old boy indicted last week on a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 54-year-old homeless man was made his first appearance in court Tuesday afternoon.
Sharron Townsend, who is charged as an adult, was moved to the Duval County jail but is being housed with other juveniles facing adult charges.
The judge Townsend a public attorney for now until he gets his own attorney, which according to the judge is his plan.
Police said Townsend shot and killed Thomas Trent in a parking lot in the 7400 block of 103rd Street during the early morning hours of June 28.
Police said Townsend shot Trent (pictured, right) one time in the head, and the arrest report says the boy admitted to shooting him with a .22-caliber gun. Police said the murder weapon was never found.
Investigators said Townsend and Trent did not know each other. Police said the killing appears to be random, as Trent was not robbed. Townsend was identified as one of two boys seen running from the scene in security video from a nearby business.
Police said the second boy implicated Townsend, who they said later confessed.
Townsend was on probation at the time on a previous arrest for burglary.
If convicted, Townsend faces a minimum of 25 years, but could spend the rest of his life in prison.
His arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 5.