MIAMI (WSVN) - The parents of a South Florida teenager who was killed more than a decade ago is speaking out after learning a grand jury has recommended the death penalty for their son’s suspected killer.
According to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, a cold case has been solved after more than a decade of searching for the killer.
“It no longer remains a cold case,” said Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle during a news conference.
The department announced a murder charge against Adrian Grimes, who’s accused of the shooting death of 16-year-old Bryan Herrera in 2012.
Grimes was already in federal custody on drug charges.
“Thirty-four-year-old Adrian O’Neal Grimes was arraigned for Brian Herrera’s murder,” said Fernandez Rundle.
The suspect refused to appear in court for his arraignment on Wednesday.
Herrera’s grieving parents attended the arraignment and later spoke at the news conference.
“Finally we see the light on the dark tunnel,” said William Herrera, Bryan’s father.
“Now at least we have answers to a lot of our questions, and although it’s painful, it’s a step in the right direction finally,” said Anabel Herrera, Bryan’s mother.
The Herreras had also hoped to see their son’s accused killer face to face at his arraignment, but that didn’t happen.
“We thought we’d be able to face him, and we’d be able to see at least his reaction to the charges, but it was very upsetting that he wasn’t here,” said Bryan’s mother, Anabel Herrera.
Just days before Christmas in 2012, Bryan was riding his bike to a friend’s house in Allapattah to do homework when he encountered a man with a gun.
Police said the motive was robbery.
“He was shot in the head. His book bag was sprawled out on the floor,” said a man.
It happened just blocks from his father’s house, near Northwest 11th Avenue and 39th Street.
He was transported to a hospital, where he later died. His parents said he was a straight-A student.
Grimes appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer on Dec. 19. In addition to his drug charges, he faces charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm.
The Miami-State Attotney’s Office said they have not made a determination as to whether or not they will seek the death penalty in this case.
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