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Crime & Safety

2nd Teen Charged in Shooting Deaths of South Tampa Siblings

Charles Waits faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion. Tavari Grant, a former Armwood High football player, faces the same charges in the deaths of Kiara and Jeremi Brito.

A second teenager is facing first-degree murder charges in the fatal shootings of South Tampa siblings Kiara and Jeremi Brito, whose deaths have led to the incarceration on the same charges for former Armwood High School football player Tavari Grant.

The Tampa Police Department reported June 17 that Charles Waits, 19, like Grant before him, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion.

Grant, whose online arrest report gives his date of birth as July 1, 1992, last played football for Armwood High School in 2008. He was arrested June 9.

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The Brito siblings were found fatally shot June 5 at their home near the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Kiara, 18, died at the scene. Her 13-year-old brother died after transport to Tampa General Hospital.

According to the June 17 police report, a witness reported part of a license tag as a suspect vehicle fled the Brito home, 3021 Van Buren Drive. Waits reportedly admitted “to transporting others and being at the crime scene with his mother’s 2007 Chevrolet Impala.” Also, he reportedly admitted “to having a cell phone that detectives linked to the crime scene.”

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"Charles Waits and Tavari Grant fled the area after the home invasion and
murders with jewelry, watches and an unknown amount of money,” according to the police report. "Through witness interviews, Waits was seen immediately after the crime with a firearm and items taken from the victims."

The Tampa Tribune reported that Grant, with Charles Wait, who was friends with the siblings, went to the Brito home just before 6 a.m. to commit a robbery.

According to news reports, Grant was a running back for Armwood High School before transferring to Tampa Bay Technical High School for his senior year. He was named to the Tampa Tribune’s All-Hillsborough County Football Team in 2008, following his junior year.

“Everybody on the team hurts, it affects the whole team no matter what,” . “That’s what we are, we’re a family team.”

WTSP.com reports that a memorial fund has been set up to help pay for funeral arrangements the Britos. Donations can be made to any Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank in the name of Kiara and Jeremi Brito. Money left over will be used for a scholarship in the teens' names.

The investigation is ongoing.

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