MIDDLEBURG, Fla. — A devastating tragedy has left the town of Middleburg in shock after a 14-year-old boy, Trevor Lee, reportedly confessed to fatally shooting his parents, David Lee, 44, and Brandi Smith (Smith-Lee), 45, inside their home just after midnight.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Trevor walked more than a mile to a nearby church and dialed 911, stating:
“I just killed my parents.”
Deputies arrived at the church shortly after and took Trevor into custody without incident. Authorities say he left the firearm at the scene—a weapon believed to be owned by his parents—and no other individuals were present in the home at the time of the shooting.
A Family Torn Apart
Sheriff Michelle Cook stated during a press briefing that preliminary findings suggest a domestic argument escalated, leading to the fatal violence. The motive remains unclear as investigators work to piece together what led to such a harrowing act within the family home.
The community, now mourning the loss of David and Brandi, is reeling from the sudden and tragic loss. Friends and loved ones remember the couple as devoted parents, community members, and kind-hearted individuals who extended love to others beyond their immediate family.
“They loved me like a son,” one family friend shared.
“They were more than parents—they were pillars,” another added.
A Troubling Case
Trevor Lee has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder. As part of the ongoing investigation, officials are examining his mental health history and school records, trying to better understand the psychological and emotional state that may have preceded the violence.
Classmates and neighbors describe Trevor as a “good kid” and say they’re struggling to reconcile the news with the boy they thought they knew.
“He wasn’t evil,” said one peer. “This just doesn’t make sense.”
Searching for Answers, Seeking Healing
This tragedy has shaken Middleburg to its core, raising difficult questions and sparking conversations about mental health, domestic dynamics, and gun safety within homes.
Community leaders, faith groups, and local counselors are mobilizing to provide support and guidance for residents, especially the youth, who are grappling with this traumatic event.
As the legal process unfolds, and new details emerge, the hope remains to find not only answers but healing—for a community, a grieving extended family, and a boy now at the center of an unfathomable tragedy.
In Memory of David Lee and Brandi Smith-Lee
Your lives, love, and light will not be forgotten.
