only on 6

19-year-old faces murder charges in Florida City boy's fatal shooting

Antavious Scott, 9, was shot and killed on Nov. 16.

NBC Universal, Inc.

A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 9-year-old boy in Florida City back in November.

Montreal Savontae Jackson Jr., 19, was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree murder with a weapon in the Nov. 16 killing of Antavious Scott, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office announced.

Watch NBC6 free wherever you are

Watch button  WATCH HERE

NBC6 spoke with the 9-year-old's mother Shanika Williams and grandmother Teretha Williams Tuesday night.

“We're just happy,” Shanika Williams said.

Get local news you need to know to start your day with NBC 6's News Headlines newsletter.

Newsletter button  SIGN UP

“I've been praying from day one that God reveal the person who did this to my grandson,” Teretha Williams said. “I can finally rest.”

According to an arrest report, detectives watched surveillance video and used cellphone data to connect Jackson to the murder.

“I feel good because I can finally rest knowing we got justice,” Shanika Williams said. “It doesn't take back the pain that I feel, but knowing that the person who did this to my baby is now behind bars gives me a little closure.”

Mothers of children who were victims of unsolved murders showed their support for the family of Antavious Scott, who was killed over the weekend in Florida City. NBC6's Laura Rodriguez reports

Two months ago, Florida City Police responded to reports of a shooting in the area of 865 West Lucy Street, where they found Scott lying on the ground with a gunshot wound in his back. He was airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in critical condition, but he later died from his injuries.

According to an arrest report, Scott was outside an apartment complex with friends when two unknown males wearing dark clothing fired toward the group, shooting Scott.

Police said surveillance video showed the two subjects driving in nearby and casing the area with a firearm. The footage also captured the two walking in and fleeing back toward their vehicle around the time of the shooting.

Booking photo of Montreal Santovae Jackson
Miami-Dade Corrections
Booking photo of Montreal Santovae Jackson

“I couldn’t be prouder of the tireless dedication and teamwork from my deputies and the Florida City Police Department, that led to solving the tragic murder of innocent Antavious Scott," Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said in a news release. "This case weighed heavily on all of us as Antavious was only 9 years old, but today, justice has prevailed. To the investigators, community members, and everyone who played a role in bringing answers to the family, I thank you. We will always fight for those who can no longer speak for themselves. I pray that this brings the family some closure and relief and we will continue to hold the Scott family in our prayers.”

In the following weeks, Scott's family made public pleas for the killer to come forward, holding vigils that were attended by other community members and local law enforcement.

Jackson was booked into Miami-Dade jail Tuesday.

Contact Us