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17-year-old is the third teen charged in Lake City's girl's shooting death

Matthew Rice has been charged in connection to the death of Mariah Smith on Aug. 24, 2023.

LAKE CITY, Fla. — In Lake City a third arrest has been made in connection to the shooting death of 12-year-old Mariah Smith from August.

Matthew Rice, 17, was charged with a count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He was arrested Thursday without incident, the Lake City Police Department said in a release.

On Aug. 24, Smith was killed after bullets came through her home on NW Long Street, police said. First aid was administered to Smith, by officers and then by EMS. She later succumbed to her injuries.

Jatarious Rashad Fluellen, 14, and Jayden Tyler Burch, 16, have also been charged with murder. Fluellen was arrested four days after Smith's death and Burch was arrested in October.

“With this third arrest, all the individuals involved in this heinous crime have been identified and charged. I would like to thank the community for their assistance, the State Attorney’s Office and the tireless work of our detectives in working this investigation.” Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler stated. “We understand the impact violent crimes have on our community, and we remain dedicated to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable."

One of the suspects' family members, Lucille Simpson, is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after police said she attempted to intimidate Smith's family members.

A Lake City street has been renamed in Smith's honor. 

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