Police have arrested a homeless man in relation to the murder of 14-year-old Ryan Rogers. What happened to him?
Ryan Rogers was a 14-year-old boy from Florida who went missing on November 15 and was found dead the next day around Palm Beach Gardens.
His tragic demise sent shock waves in the Palm Beach Gardens community and sparked an extensive murder investigation in the police department.
Now, the authorities have made an arrest in connection to Rogers’ murder. The said suspect is a homeless man named Semmie Lee Williams, reported Miami Herald.
UPDATED: DNA found on Ryan Rogers’ headphones led police to Miami drifter Semmie Lee Williams, per newly released arrest warrant. The suspect also had on him a bloody bandanna that tested positive for Ryan’s DNA.https://t.co/9Z4WMXcvaS pic.twitter.com/3AVlB1poUz
— David Ovalle (@DavidOvalle305) December 2, 2021
Ryan Rogers Murder Case Update- Suspect Semmie Lee Williams Arrested
On December 1, 2021, Palm Beach Gardens police arrested 39-year-old Semmie Lee Williams in relation to the murder of teenager Ryan Rogers.
According to New York Post, the police linked Williams to the murder with the help of his YouTube videos, which showed him around the Palm Beach Gardens area at the time of the murder.
Williams is a homeless man from Miami. It is believed he is mentally ill as he often posted bizarre videos with conspiracy theories on YouTube.
The authorities also discovered his DNA at the crime scene. They located him at Florida’s Baker Act last Friday, but could not arrest him.
Ryan Rogers’ body was found 3 Tuesdays ago near this memorial in Palm Beach Gardens.
We know the 3 mile stretch @PBGPD are searching in for clues and that the @FBI is helping, but beyond that, we know very little. @CBS12 pic.twitter.com/TpNhZmmUpE
— Andrew Lofholm (@AndrewLofholm) November 30, 2021
Florida’s Baker Act is a hospital that allows for the involuntary commitment of a person who is a danger to himself and others.
Then, the police arrested him on Wednesday and charged him with first-degree murder with a weapon. He will appear in court on Thursday morning.
Williams’ past criminal records reveal he was arrested for domestic battery, carrying a concealed weapon, aggravated assault, and more.
Meet Ryan Rogers Mother Cynthia And Father
Ryan Rogers is survived by his mother, father, and younger brother.
His mother, Cynthia reported him missing after he failed to come home from his bike ride. She was also present at the murder scene with two unnamed women on Monday.
His family arranged a memorial for him outside the Alton Town Center. Furthermore, Rogers was a soccer player and had been a part of Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athleric Association since he was 4.
The police ruled his death a completely random act with no apparent motive. He was an innocent victim who just happened to cross paths with an unstable and violent criminal.