Three teenagers face murder charge in fatal parking lot shooting in Broward

Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies team up to solve murder

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. ā€“ Officers arrested three teenagers in the shooting death of a 56-year-old man, the Coconut Creek Police Department announced on Wednesday night.Ā 

Scotty Leamon, a spokesman for the police department, identified the victim as Michael Robin Griffin, who was a father of two and a grandfather. Detectives said he was out about 1:20 a.m. to help a friend buy over-the-counter medication when he was killed in an apparent robbery attempt.Ā 

Broward County prosecutors charged 16-year-old Dominic Soto, of Lake Worth, 17-year-old Jason Junior Prendergast, of Port St. Lucie, and 18-year-old Jermaine W. Atterbury, of Greenacres, with murder.Ā 

After Griffin's friend told officers he had vanished, his body turned up on the morning of Oct. 12 next to his red Chevrolet Camaro. The crime scene was in the parking lot ofĀ theĀ Walmart at 5571 W. Hillsboro Boulevard, in Coconut Creek.Ā Ā 

GriffinĀ was born in Zeeland, Michigan. He attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, and servedĀ as an emergency medical technician in his hometown. His resume on Linkedin included working in Texas for Siemens and for Toshiba. He was anĀ executive vice president for GBI Intralogistics Solutions in Deerfield Beach when he died.Ā 

"Mike was a wonderful colleague, always there when you need him, funny beyond believe, a rock in any critical situation in business, reliable and trust worthy - just a great guy to have on your side," Uwe Neitzel wrote.Ā 

Gina Zamarelli remembersĀ him as a hardworking colleague who was kind and the "most selfless person I've ever known." KraghĀ Hertel remembers his good nature, his smile, sincerity and quiet strength. Lucie Anderson and Mike BranesĀ wrote he was the most kind human being they hadĀ ever met.

"He had a huge heart and would go out of his way to help anyone in need," Barnes wrote.Ā 

Solving the crimeĀ wasn't easy for detectives. Leamon said the investigation involved local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.Ā 

"They worked day and night for weeks on end, never doubting that they would solve this case," Coconut Creek Police Chief Albert "Butch" Arenal said in a statement.Ā 

Meanwhile, Prendergast's father in Port St. LucieĀ reported his sonĀ had vanishedĀ on Sept. 19. He told deputies, his suitcase, favorite shoes, laptop and other personal belongings were gone. Leamon said Prendergas was picked up Tuesday night in St. Lucie.Ā 

Detectives believeĀ Prendergast approached Griffin in the parking lot, fatally shot himĀ and jumped into theĀ Chevy AvalancheĀ that AtterburyĀ was driving. Soto, who was a passenger in the car, witnessed the apparent robbery attempt that ended with murder, police said.Ā 

Jason Prendergast, 17, of Port St. Lucie, was charged with murder in the shooting death of 56-year-old Michael Robin Griffin in Coconut Creek.

Leamon said Atterbury has been in custody since last Friday.Ā Detective Joe BarettoĀ reported authoritiesĀ have the murder weapon and there is also surveillance video in the case, Leamon said.Ā Ā 

Officers with the Coral Springs, Boynton Beach andĀ the Riviera Beach police departments, deputies withĀ the Palm Beach County and the St. Lucie County Sheriffā€™s Office, and agents with the FBI Violent Crimes Task ForceĀ and the U.S. Marshalā€™s Fugitive Task Force helpedĀ to solve the crime.Ā 

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About the Author:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.