Three more suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy who was killed in a drive-by shooting during a birthday party at a Fort Lauderdale park last year, police said.
Antonio Carter, 20, and 19-year-olds Tommie Allen and Andrew St. Louis are facing first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit murder charges in the July 21, 2024 shooting that claimed the life of Rylo Yancy, Fort Lauderdale Police officials said at a news conference Thursday morning.
“While nothing can undo this horrific and senseless act of violence these arrests demonstrated what can be achieved when determined investigative work, strong evidence, trusted partnerships and the support of our community works together,” Police Chief Bill Schultz said. “From the beginning of this case our focus was securing justice for Rylo and his family.”
Yancy had been attending another child’s birthday party at Riverland Park when the drive-by shooting unfolded. He was hit by the gunfire and died from his injuries.
FBI officials said more than 20 shots were fired at people attending the party.
The shooting shocked the community, and the FBI later offered a $10,000 reward in the incident.
This past March, police announced the arrest of 20-year-old Tyler Tyrone Hollins on charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent adult felon in connection with the shooting.
According to detectives, the shooting was the result of a disagreement between Hollins and a man who was at the party. Investigators said multiple shooters were firing out of two cars.
Another suspect, Thaddeus Squire III was also arrested in connection with the shooting and charged with accessory after the fact.
Schultz said the department worked with the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the FBI to investigate the shooting and identify the additional suspects. The investigation into the shooting has concluded, Schultz said.
St. Louis was arrested last week by the U.S. Marshals Service in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Carter and Allen were arrested Sept. 18, Broward jail records showed.
Hollins and Allen had been arrested in May or 2024 after they allegedly led police on a cross-county chase in a stolen BMW before crashing into a state trooper’s car.
In December, Hollins was charged with grand theft for allegedly stealing another BMW from the driveway of a home in Sunny Isles Beach on Thanksgiving Day.
Several of Yancy’s family members attended Thursday’s news conference, where Schultz became emotional as he addressed them.
“We know nothing can replace what you have lost, but please know this department will always be there for you,” he said.
The family wore shirts with Yancy’s picture on them and broke down in tears as they remembered him.
“This is something that you’ll never get over, you just have to work your way through it,” one family member said. “It’s a wound that can never heal.”
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