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Published on January 22, 2025
Grand Jury Recommends Death Penalty for Suspect in 2012 Killing of Miami Teen Bryan HerreraSource: Google Street View

The decade-long cold case of the tragic killing of Bryan Herrera, a 16-year-old boy from South Florida, has finally reached a pivotal point. As reported by WSVN, a grand jury has recommended the death penalty for Adrian Grimes, the man now charged with Herrera's first-degree murder and armed robbery.

Grimes, 30, was already serving time in federal custody on unrelated drug charges when he was charged with the 2012 crime. The recent developments unfolded after a witness claimed to have recognized Grimes as the shooter, a detail confirmed in an interview by Local 10. However, the accused chose to not appear in court for his arraignment, denying the victim's family the opportunity to confront him. "We thought we'd be able to face him and we'd be able to see at least his reaction to the charges but it was very upsetting that he wasn’t here," Bryan's mother, Anabel Herrera, told WSVN.

The horrific incident took place just days before Christmas in 2012, when Bryan Herrera was riding his bike to a friend's house in Allapattah and was fatally shot in an alleged robbery for his cellphone. Brian’s stepmother, Anabel Herrera, expressed a sense of relief to finally see some progress, telling Local 10, "I’m glad that it’s finally here -- that at least that’s a big heavy load on our back, knowing that this person was out there and just living his life without even worrying about Brian. And now I’m happy that now Brian is on his mind." William Herrera, the father, described the profound emotional toll the case has taken. “We have our days where we cry and we remember and we feel that we don’t have the power to overcome this,” as recounted to Local 10.

With the charges laid against Grimes, who is already facing multiple counts, prosecutors are reportedly considering pursuing the death penalty, a narrative also noted in a statement obtained by Local 10

Miami-Crime & Emergencies