On September 12, 2023, 15-year-old Quashawn Burgess Jr. of Bartow, Florida, was found deceased in the driveway of 3050 Saint Paul Drive in Winter Haven. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 2:30 a.m. regarding the discovery of the body. Upon arrival, first responders found Quashawn with a gunshot wound to his face.
The reporting person had discovered the body after arriving to visit a friend and had heard a noise sounding like a "pop" around 12:30 a.m., which was initially mistaken for fireworks.
Quashawn's mother was notified of his death, and she revealed that she had last seen him on the living room couch at 10:30 p.m. on September 11, 2023, and was unaware that he had left the house. The investigation led detectives to interview Jase Govia, who admitted to selling marijuana from the house where the incident occurred. Govia and his associate, Pierre Sauveur, were arrested and charged with felony drug charges.
Through the investigation, detectives identified Rashan Harris II as being present with Quashawn at the time of the murder. Harris admitted to picking up Quashawn in Bartow and taking him to Saint Paul Drive to buy marijuana. After the purchase, an altercation ensued between Quashawn and an unknown female, described as white with brown hair, over her personal belongings. During this altercation, a gun was fired, and Quashawn was fatally shot. Harris fled the scene without reporting the incident to law enforcement.
Rashan Harris II was taken into custody on September 14, 2023, and charged with multiple felonies, including violation of probation and failure to report the death. Further investigation identified the unknown female as Lilia, a convicted felon from Osceola County. Detectives found the stolen firearm used in the murder at her residence, along with cocaine, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia. Lilia was also charged with various felonies related to the incident.
The case involved a series of bad choices, including an attempted robbery and the illegal possession of a stolen firearm, which ultimately led to Quashawn's death. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office solved the case within four days, resulting in the arrest and charging of four suspects: Rashan Harris II, Jase Govia, Pierre Sauveur, and Lilia. The investigation highlighted the complexities and dangers associated with illegal drug activities and the consequences of such actions.
