An 18-year-old New Jersey man named Karon Council is making headlines after he shot and killed an innocent 10-year-old boy over a dispute he had with an enemy of his.
After the shooting, Council fled to his girlfriend’s house in Florida and was arrested by U.S. Marshals and the Broward County Sheriff’s Dept. He was extradited back to New Jersey where he was officially charged with murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Here’s what you need to know about Karon Council and the tragic shooting that took place:
Council took his beef out on his rival’s girlfriend’s family and ended up killing an innocent 10-year-old boy.
According to authorities, Council and a 16-year-old accomplice, Jah-Del Birch, went to a home in Asbury Park, New Jersey to confront a man named “Jameer” he was beefing with.
A teen inside the home answered the door and told Council that the man he was looking for was not at the home. Council and the teen left the home after they weren’t able to track their intended target, only to return moments later and open fire on the house.
“At that time, Council pulled out a gun from his waistband and began to shoot at the house,” an affidavit regarding the case stated. Witnesses told police that Council was one who fired shots at the home.
A 10-year-old boy named Yovanni Banos-Merino and his mother, 38-year-old Lilla Merino, were both struck by bullets. The 10-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime. His mother was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and was treated for a gunshot wound in her leg.
After the shooting, Council fled to Florida, where authorities were able to track him down.
According to an arrest report obtained by NJ Advance Media, Council was arrested by U.S. Marshals and the Broward County Sheriff’s Department Sunday evening at a residence in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
U.S. Marshall Manny Puri said in a statement that Council was staying in South Florida with his girlfriend and her family. The gun Council used in the shooting was recovered at the home.
He was extradited back to New Jersey to appear before a Superior Court Judge.
Council is facing numerous charges over the shooting.
Council has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
His 16-year-old accomplice, Jah-Del Birch, was arrested at Neptune High School and is also facing murder and weapons charges.
According to public records, Council has been arrested in the past for disorderly conduct, trespassing, improper behavior, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
Council is believed to be a member of the Bloods street gang.
Council is said to go by the street name “Boogie” and is gang affiliated.
“Council was a very dangerous fugitive with no sense of value for life and could have easily continued his violent behavior in South Florida,” Assistant Chief U.S. Marshal Manny Puri said in a statement.
A candlelight vigil was held for 10-year-old Yovanni Banos-Merino this past weekend.
At Yovanni’s candlelight vigil, his sister Vanessa Martinez spoke about how big of a heart her brother had and he would often give away his personal belongings.
“He loved everybody so,” Martinez said. “He doesn’t want to see you guys cry, I know that, because he’ll get mad and say, ‘Why are you guys crying? Don’t cry, I’m OK’ … He was a brave boy … Even though he’s not going to be here anymore, I know he’s looking after us and saying, ‘Everything is going to be OK.’ He was a good soul to be around. He never argued with anybody.”
Yovanni died in his sister’s arms on the night of the tragic event.
Yovanni’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral expenses.
Yovanni Banos-Merino’s family is accepting donations to help cover his funeral expenses via GoFundMe.
Merino’s sister wrote on the page:
“We are raising money for the funeral service. We are also raising money to transport him to Mexico. We are also raising money to pay the plane ticket. I Am his sister and I am the one who set up the go fund me. He died in a shooting may he Rest In Peace he was a angel and his laughter will always be remembered. We are from Asbury Park N.j.”
So far the family has raised over $18,000 out of their $30,000 goal to lay Yovanni to rest.
