Two Men Charged for 2022 Gainesville Murder of 16-Year-Old

GAINESVILLE ‒ Two men have been charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 2022 drive-by shooting that claimed the life of 16-year-old Zhané Sanders at the Palms of Archer apartment complex.

Nathaniel Deweese Kendrick Jr., 25, and Geremy Doel Navarro, 22, were arrested and are currently being held in the Marion County Jail. Both men face charges related to the shooting, which occurred in the early hours of June 5, 2022.

At approximately 2:17 a.m. on June 5, 2022, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a drive-by shooting at Palms of Archer, located at 7117 S.W. Archer Road. Upon arrival, deputies found Sanders, who had been struck by gunfire. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

Sanders, a 16-year-old from out of state, was visiting Gainesville to attend a family member’s high school graduation celebration. Investigators believe she was an innocent bystander caught in the line of fire.

Over the past two years, detectives have worked to identify suspects in the case. After gathering sufficient evidence, warrants were issued for Kendrick and Navarro’s arrests. Both men are now facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder for their alleged involvement in Sanders’ death.

This is not the first time Navarro has faced serious charges. Earlier in 2022, he was convicted of first-degree murder in the killing of Ferron Marquise Williams in Ocala. That murder occurred just months before Sanders’ death. Navarro was sentenced to life in prison for Williams’ murder.

The successful identification and apprehension of Kendrick and Navarro required coordination among multiple agencies, including the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, and the 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney, Bill Gladson.

ASO continues to work closely with the 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, and investigators have hinted that additional charges and arrests may follow as the case progresses.

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