How we got from the Compound killings of Christmas 2022 to trial for Palm Bay teens' deaths

Here is a timeline of the unfolding events around the slaying of two teens at an area in Palm Bay called "The Compound" on Christmas Day in 2022. Court records, arrest reports and dispatch notes were used to compile the following information.

More: Quest for justice drove Palm Bay police investigation into teen killings at The Compound

2022

December 25

2:43 p.m.: A Ford Fusion driven by Jamarcus Simpson is seen leaving Manatee Cove Apartments in Palm Bay. At least three people are seen in the vehicle.

4 p.m.: The Ford Fusion driven by Jamarcus Simpson is seen leaving the Compound.

6:30 p.m.: Palm Bay police are called to the Compound to the intersection of Camilo Circle and Angora Road to investigate reports of a body. The body, later identified as Travon Anthony Jr., was found lying face down in the brush just off the road. The 16-year-old, who marked his birthday earlier in the day, had been shot in the head.

December 26

7:30 a.m.: Police continue their search of the Compound and find a second body, that of Jeremiah Brown, 14. He had been shot multiple times. The agency later issues a statement to the public saying, "All available resources are being dedicated to finding the motives and person(s) responsible for this crime."

December 31

A Ford Fusion, driven by Jamarcus Simpson, is stopped by Palm Bay police for a traffic violation. Police see a 9mm handgun, search the car and find a blood-spattered pair of Air Jordan sneakers. Simpson is charged with carrying a concealed weapon. The shoes are sent to a crime lab.

Simpson talks to police about the Compound shootings, telling detectives that he, his friend Travon Anthony, a teen he only identified as "K9," and Jeremiah Brown rode to the Compound.

He names "K9," later identified as Juan Shuren, Jamarcus Simpson’s cousin, as the shooter.

2023

January 4

Police interviewed Juan Shuren, who initially denies going to the Compound. During a second round of questioning Shuren changes his story and tells detectives that it was Jamarcus Simpson who fired the fatal shots. A year later, Shuren would change his story further in a handwritten note, saying that he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he gave his statement to Palm Bay detectives. He tells Simpson's attorney in January 2024 that he no longer recalls what happened on Christmas Day 2022 at the Compound. That note is later placed in the court file.

January 19

Some 40 people, including the families of Jeremiah Brown and Travon Anthony, hold a "justice walk," marching from the corner of Eldron Boulevard and Malabar Road to Palm Bay City Hall. Protesters also raise concerns about restricting public access to the Compound.

May 13

Kobe Kirkland, a ninth-grade Palm Bay High School student, is fatally wounded just outside his home in south Melbourne as Kobe worked on a golf cart. Police have no suspects. Kobe's family talk about bad blood between teens following the shooting deaths at the Compound. But no official link between the cases has been made.

More: How we got here: Story of Compound killings was reported over many twists, turns

May 14

The following night, at 9 p.m., Melbourne police are called to a home at 601 Xavier Ave., where Juan Shuren lives with his mother, to investigate a drive-by shooting. At least 10 shots are fired, striking a vehicle and the one-story home.

May 20

West Melbourne police conduct a traffic stop on Juan Shuren, then 16. He is charged with carrying a concealed firearm and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. He is held at the Juvenile Detention Center. Shuren later writes that he was ordered into a drug rehab program.

July 23

Juan Shuren is given a traffic citation by Melbourne Police for violating his learner’s license permit by having no supervising adults in the vehicle, a silver Chevrolet SUV.

November 5

Juan Shuren is given a traffic citation by Palm Bay police for an expired tag.

December 3

Shooters fire dozens of rounds on the same night at two locations in Melbourne, including near Xavier Avenue. One person is wounded, and residents are concerned.

December 6

Three days later, Melbourne police respond to Xavier Avenue after reports of shots being fired at a home where Juan Shuren lives. A 16-year-old identified as N’Varee Williams is shot to death. Police believe Williams was traveling in the car allegedly involved in the drive-by shootings. Officers arrive and find multiple bullet casings across several streets.

More: Who were the victims of Palm Bay Compound killings? Who are those arrested in connection?

After the homicide, Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie issues a statement. "This is a senseless incident that resulted in the tragic loss of a youth in our community. While the investigation is ongoing, I am able to say that this was not a random incident.”

December 7 

Just days before his 17th birthday, Juan Shuren is pulled over by Palm Bay police in the silver Chevrolet SUV on a violation of probation charge. Officers question Shuren and search his vehicle. Officers located a loaded 9 mm Smith and Wesson handgun in his waistband. Multiple bullet holes are spotted along the side of the vehicle.

December 22

Jamarcus Simpson is being held at the Deep Creek Academy on an unrelated charge in St. Augustine, police say. He is charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the Compound killings of Jeremiah Brown and Travon Anthony and brought back to Brevard to face the charges.

2024

January 24

The Brevard County grand jury meets to consider the shooting deaths of the two teens. Jurors hear from the medical examiner and detectives. The indictment is returned the same afternoon.

Juan Shuren, at a juvenile detention facility, meets with the attorneys for Jamarcus Simpson and tells them that he does not recall the what happened at the Compound shooting nor did he remember talking with Palm Bay detectives. He says he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time. He crafts a handwritten note that is placed in the court file.

January 25

Juan Shuren and Jamarcus Smith are each formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jeremiah Brown and Travon Anthony.

March 18

Jury selection is slated to begin in the first-degree murder trial of Jamarcus Simpson. The trial could get underway by April 1.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Timeline of Palm Bay Compound killings of two teens on Christmas 2022