Nassau County

New video: Investigators interrogate teens involved in another teen’s shooting death

CALLAHAN, Fla. — Hourslong interrogation videos have been released in the shooting death of a 16-year-old in Callahan.

Last February, 16-year-old Trenton Fort was shot and killed at the intersection of Spring Lake Drive and Deer Run Road. Two suspects were charged: 16-year-old Ashton Riggs and 17-year-old Gaven Smith.

The interrogation videos provide new evidence in the case.

In one of the videos, Gaven Smith told investigators, “Ashton told me that there’s this beef that’s been going on,” adding, “I don’t even know these kids really.”

Investigators then pressed Smith about having worn a ski mask.

“I didn’t have a ski mask,” he said.

One investigator then said, “you were identified down to the moustache with a ski mask.”

Smith then said, “after they heard the gunshot they ran down the road with ski masks on.”

According to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, after Fort was shot, he was driven to Fourth Avenue and Warrior Drive in Callahan, just outside West Nassau High School. He was then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

RELATED STORIES: Mother of slain West Nassau High teen launching foundation in his honor | Friends, family gather to remember Trent Fort, West Nassau High School student shot, killed | Upgraded charges for teens arrested for the death of a West Nassau High student | Mother of West Nassau High football player shot and killed speaks

The second suspect in the case, 16-year-old Ashton Riggs, was charged as an adult with accessory to murder.

“Tell me about the gun that Gaven had,” an investigator asked Riggs.

Riggs replied, “I never gave him that gun, he’s had that gun, he probably stole it.”

An investigator then asked Riggs if Smith had made any comments about any threats toward anybody that he was going to meet.

Riggs then told investigators that Smith had told him, “‘if some [expletive] does go down, I love you bro,’ and I said, ‘I love you too’ and he went out there and did it.”

In the interview, Riggs talked about a drug deal and having had “beef” with another group of kids.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office says there’s a “strong possibility” other suspects will be charged.

Action News Jax talked with Fort’s mother Thursday. She declined to comment on the case.