Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Alexander Nelson and 16-year-old Prestin Wayne Nixon of Wildwood, Florida were found in the area of County Road 219 on Wednesday at approximately 5:07 a.m. when sheriffs responded to a report.
Two teenage boys with a promising future were found shot to death and left for dead on a Florida roadside. Police believe it was not a random act and authorities are now searching for the suspects, officials said.
Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Alexander Nelson and 16-year-old Prestin Wayne Nixon of Wildwood, Florida were found in the area of County Road 219 on Wednesday at approximately 5:07 a.m. when sheriffs responded to a report, according to a statement by the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.
A trucker driving along the rural county road in Wildwood discovered the bodies of the two deceased boys. The truck driver, who was not identified, but appeared traumatized by what he had seen, told the 911 dispatcher on the call that was released on Thursday that he was “shaking.”
“They’re lying right beside the road,” he said, People reported. “I'll pray for their souls. I can’t believe this.”
The Sumter Count Sherriff’s office told Inside Edition Digital that it is a very active investigation.
"This is a tragedy, and it has deeply impacted our community,” Sumter County Sheriff Captain Jon Galvin said in a YouTube video that was posted that gave an update on the investigation.
"We believe at this time that both victims may have known their assailant,” he said.
Galvin said detectives are working round the clock on any leads and asked the community for their help in solving the double killing.
“These two young men have been robbed of their chance to live their lives having been senselessly taken from their families,” Galvin said.
He shared with viewers that both of the boys had a bright future ahead of them. They were both homeschooled, he said. Isaiah once attended Wildwood High School. Galvin added that grief counselors were available at the school for those students who needed counseling.
Isaiah's father created a GoFundMe page specifically to raise money for a reward for information that could lead to an arrest and conviction of whomever is responsible for his son's death. "The murderer(s) are still at large," he wrote. "We currently have a reward of $10,000 and would like to raise this fund to encourage community action. Funds will also be used to offset unexpected expenses that we have incurred or will incur because of this sudden and unexpected tragedy."
Rachel Nixon, organizer of the GoFundMe campaign for Prestin's family, hopes to raise the $5,000 goal to help pay for the young man's funeral. She described Prestin as a “kind sweet young man with a bright future ahead of him," and expressed the family's devastation from this senseless act.
“He was quiet, reserved, respectful, and loved dearly by all those around him," she said.
As of Monday, almost $3,400 has been raised.
Prayers and words of comfort have been posted on the pages.
“My heart breaks along with the families in this devastating loss, my prayers, and condolences to his loved ones,” said one person who contributed $50. “May justice for your loss be found on this earth, but I know our God will take out his wrath on the unrepentant in eternity.”
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact the Sumter County Sheriff's Office at 352-793-2621 or to remain anonymous, call 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).
