Florida 19-year-old charged in shooting death of teen friend was like family, victim's mom says

Florida officials have charged two suspects in connection to the December shooting death of a 17-year-old boy.

According to a Tuesday release from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, the investigation began Dec. 19, 2023 when a family in unincorporated Winter Park, outside of Orlando, heard multiple gunshots form their home in the middle of the night.

Later that day, they found Conrad Holaway, 17, dead in his bedroom, the release states.

Investigators learned that Holaway had recently kicked out a friend who was staying with him on and off, starting a string of arguments between them. The friend later turned suspect saw Holaway through the window of his home on Dec. 19 and shot him several times, the release states.

More:Florida man fatally shoots roommate with pellet gun because he was annoyed, girlfriend says

Suspect also charged with sexual battery of a minor in unrelated case

Alan Javon Morris, 19, was arrested Friday and charged with first degree, premeditated murder. Court records show that he entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday.

Upon arrest, he was additionally charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a minor in an unrelated case. The arrest affidavit showed that the juvenile, aged between 12 and 16 years old, told detectives the sexual activity occurred on two different occasions. Morris confirmed with detectives the sexual activity with the minor occurred, telling detectives he climbed into the victim's bedroom windows, according to the arrest report.

Morris is being held at a local jail without bond, and the public defender listed as his attorney did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment Wednesday.

Police also charged Isaiah Allen Crisp, 20, with first degree, premeditated murder for "his involvement in the homicide" the SCSO release states without elaborating. His arrest report did not contain evidence against him and initial court filings are sealed. Crisp is also being held without bond but does not have an attorney on file.

Holaway, 17, 'bright, compassionate soul with a future full of potential and dreams'

In a GoFundMe for memorial services created by Holaway's mother, the victim was described as "a bright, compassionate soul with a future full of potential and dreams."

"His infectious laughter, kindness, and zest for life touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him," Holaway's mother Delina Davis wrote.

Davis told local outlet Fox 35 that Morris was like a part of the family.

"He called me ‘Mom.’ He lived here. He wore Conrad's clothes. He laid in the spot where I found Conrad," Davis told Fox 35 about the defendant, Morris. "Against my better judgment, I let him stay because I knew he had nowhere else to go."