Two Indicted After Ambush-Style Shooting Outside Cocoa Restaurant Kills 15-Year-Old Girl
In Cocoa, Florida, outside the Anchors Seafood & Chicken on Clearlake Road, 15-year-old girl Ka’Ryah Duncan was struck in an ambush-style attack while sitting in a vehicle with two 18-year-old males on October 6. Authorities say two men, 21-year-old Jonterich L. Smith of Cocoa and 20-year-old Xazavier E. Butler of Titusville, opened fire with assault-style rifles, releasing dozens of rounds into the waiting car. Ka’Ryah passed at the scene, while the two young men inside the vehicle survived with serious injuries.
A Brevard County grand jury later indicted both Smith and Butler on multiple charges, including first-degree murder with a firearm and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Smith was arrested on October 11 during a traffic stop in Volusia County and is currently held without bond. Butler was taken into custody shortly afterward by the Game Over Task Force and charged with the same offenses, including possession of a firearm by a delinquent.
Investigators described the attack as a deliberate and coordinated act. According to authorities, Smith arrived at the restaurant, spotted the victims sitting in their car, and left the area in a black Dodge Durango. Moments later, the SUV returned, blocking the victims’ vehicle in the parking lot. Smith and Butler then exited with assault rifles, while a third unidentified suspect armed with a handgun joined them. Together, they fired multiple rounds in what detectives have called a “violent ambush,” striking all three victims before fleeing the scene.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Ka’Ryah Duncan, only 15 years old, could not be saved. Her two companions were rushed to a local hospital, where they were treated for their wounds and are continuing to recover. The attack left the Cocoa community in shock, as residents and friends mourned the loss of a bright young girl known for her kindness and positive spirit.
The Sheriff’s Office has stated that the shooting was not random and that Smith knew the victims personally. Detectives continue to investigate the motive behind the ambush, which may have stemmed from an ongoing dispute. While the two suspects are now in custody, authorities confirmed that a third individual believed to have participated in the shooting remains at large.
Community leaders and residents have gathered in multiple vigils to honor Ka’Ryah’s memory and call for an end to youth violence. Local organizations are working with the Sheriff’s Office to offer counseling and support to her grieving family. Sheriff Wayne Ivey praised the swift work of investigators, describing the arrests as “a step toward justice for Ka’Ryah and her loved ones.”
The State Attorney’s Office has announced plans to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law. Both Smith and Butler face life imprisonment if convicted. Meanwhile, the family of Ka’Ryah Duncan continues to seek peace and healing after a night that forever changed their community.