Juvenile Offender Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for 13-Year-Old’s Murder

TAMPA, FL (December 1, 2023) — A judge sentenced Ja’Marion Strange to 45 years in prison for the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy. Strange was 16 years-old in 2021 when he opened fire on the victim who was riding scooters with his brother at the Lee Davis Community Center in Tampa. The State Attorney’s Office charged Strange as an adult, and a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in November.

While first-degree murder charges generally carry a mandatory life sentence, because Strange was a juvenile at the time of the crime, a judge can depart from those guidelines. Jurors heard from eyewitnesses at the trial who testified that they saw Strange shoot and kill the 13-year-old victim. Surveillance video also shows Strange’s car at the scene, while bullets that match the casings at the crime scene were also found inside of his car.

“The victim in this case was a child who was riding a scooter with his brother when his life was cut short. I hope this lengthy sentence sends a strong message to juveniles who endanger our community by resorting to gun violence. Your age will not protect you from being held accountable in Hillsborough County. While this sentence cannot bring his life back, I hope the victim’s family takes comfort in knowing this criminal is behind bars for the next four decades,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

State Attorney Lopez leads a team of talented prosecutors and professional staff who are responsible for all criminal prosecutions in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping the public informed about the outcomes of major court cases to ensure transparency and accountability. We believe it is of utmost importance for the public to understand how our justice system operates in order to build trust. To learn more about the outcome of cases prosecuted in our office, you can follow us on social media: