Jonthomas Hobbs, a 17-year-old male from Lehigh Acres, FL, was tragically killed on May 8, 2016. The incident occurred during what was supposed to be a straightforward drug deal. Hobbs and his friends had arranged to sell marijuana to a buyer they had been communicating with via text messages. However, the situation took a deadly turn when the buyer, identified as 17-year-old Tarozjay Cherry, pulled out a gun and demanded all their belongings instead of making the payment.
Cherry then shot Hobbs, resulting in his death.
The shooting took place at the intersection of 32nd Street Southwest and Wanda Avenue in Lehigh Acres. When deputies arrived at the scene around 9:30 p.m., they found Hobbs lying in the middle of the road with a gunshot wound. The bullet had entered his right shoulder, passed through his chest, and tore his heart, leading to his immediate death. Witnesses reported that Cherry had approached the passenger side of the car, and as Hobbs got out, another passenger handed Cherry the marijuana. Instead of paying, Cherry produced a firearm and demanded the rest of their belongings before shooting Hobbs.
Following the incident, Cherry was arrested and charged with armed robbery and homicide. He was held in a secure detention center for 21 days while the courts decided whether to proceed with the charges. Cherry had a history of run-ins with the law, including a previous arrest for unarmed robbery and an incident where he pushed his assistant principal at East Lee County High School. Investigators were able to trace the phone number used to set up the drug deal to Cherry's mother, and a search of their home revealed a black revolver matching the witness descriptions.
The community was assured by detectives that the incident was isolated and that there was no ongoing danger to the surrounding area. Despite the tragic loss of Jonthomas Hobbs, the investigation and subsequent arrest of Tarozjay Cherry provided some measure of justice for his family and friends.
