Missing Florida Teen Found Dead With Gunshot Wound; Authorities Suspect Homicide

A 15-year-old boy who was found dead with a gunshot wound a day after going missing is suspected to have been murdered, authorities said.

Deputies from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office responded to the N. Wall Street in Bushnell at around 1:20 a.m. Friday regarding a call about a missing teen. Upon arriving, deputies learned that the teen's parents hadn't seen him since Thursday morning, WESH reported.

Jontae Haywood's body was discovered later that day.

"Several members of the Sheriff's Office converged on the area and began searching the last known location of Jontae. Shortly thereafter, Jontae's body was discovered," a statement from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office read.

Officials said that Haywood, who was a former student at Sumter Prep Academy, "may have suffered a gunshot wound."

Police are investigating Haywood's death as a homicide, as per the statement. The Sheriff's Office statement added that the incident was isolated and there was no active threat to public safety.

"Jontae's death is being investigated as a homicide. The Sumter County Sheriff's Office believes this was an isolated incident and there is no active threat to public safety," the statement said.

A spokesperson with the Sumter District Schools told Click Orlando that counseling services will be available at the school in light of Haywood's death.

Police said in the statement that an investigation is underway and anyone with information is asked to call Sumter County Sheriff's Office.

Haywood's mother told WESH that she contacted deputies after she hadn't seen or heard from her son since he left home Thursday, which she said was very uncharacteristic of him. His mother told the outlet that Haywood wanted to pursue a career in music.

In October, the body of a 15-year-old Tennessee girl was found in a wooded area in Cookeville after she was reported missing by her parents that same day. A 63-year-old suspect, Charles "Chuck" Carter was arrested in connection with the murder. Deputies initially believed illegal drugs and individuals participating in criminal activities were involved in the teen's disappearance but later determined that Carter may have raped and murdered the girl. He was charged with aggravated statutory rape in connection with the disappearance.