LCPD: Simpson issued threat with firearm while driving by Sunday.
Simpson
The family of the Lake City girl killed in late August was threatened with further violence Sunday.
According to the Lake City Police Department, 55-year-old Lucille Simpson drove past family members of 12-year-old Mariah Smith around 7:10 p.m. Sunday and threatened them while armed with a firearm. Simpson was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
“The incident in question involved a reprehensible and intimidating act directed at the family of 12-year-old Mariah Smith, who tragically lost her life on August 24, 2023,” Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler said in a release. “As I have said before, we will continue to work diligently to identify and arrest all those involved in this case.”
The LCPD release states that Smith’s family members were involved with an altercation with family members of one of the suspects arrested for Smith’s murder. Jatarious Rashad Fluellen, 14, and Jayden Tyler Burch, 15, have been arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder. Fluellen was arrested Aug. 28, while Burch, who had moved to Miami Gardens, was arrested Oct. 11.
During the dispute, one of Smith’s family members said Simpson drove by as they stood out on the side of NW Long Street and lowered the passenger window of her vehicle and told them, “I’ll lay your behind out.”
On Aug. 24, LCPD officers were dispatched just after 9 p.m. to a NW Long Street home in regards to a person having been shot.
When officers arrived they found that Smith, a 12-year-old, had been shot. First aid was rendered to the child by officers and Emergency Medical Services, but the child succumbed to her injuries. She was reportedly sitting on a couch in the home watching television, when the house was struck by a hail of bullets.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the LCPD at 386-752-4343.