Police are shutting down rumors that a serial killer is on the loose after three teens were shot in the same Orlando area.
Two of the victims were reportedly found dead, and a 16-year-old girl was in critical condition.
According to WCJB, the Marion County Sherriff’s Office found Layla Silvernail lying in a dumpster along Southeast 183rd Avenue Road near Forest Lakes Park in Ocklawaha on Thursday.
The girl remains in critical condition after being shot in the head.
That following day, the body of a 17-year-old boy was found on the side of the road when officers arrived at the scene on Southeast 94th Street and Southeast 188th Court.
By Saturday afternoon, the third victim, another 16-year-old girl, was found in a vehicle belonging to Silvernail, partially submerged in a lake near Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace.
At this time, the names of the other deceased have not been released.
“That is far from the truth. Now I have the facts of what we know right now — and I can give you that assurance. So do not speculate on social media,” he said on Facebook.
“Someone out there knows something. Word travels fast, but we want you to have accurate information and not rumors. Limited information is available right now because this case is active.”
“So do not speculate on social media because one of the things I want each of you to think of and try to remember when you start to type is that there are family members out there reading it. And some of you, you make s— up, and it’s devastating to that family, and you need to stop,” he said.
On Tuesday, police spokesman Zachary Moore said that investigators still “have no reason to believe this is anywhere near serial-killer level.”
According to a GoFundMe account, Silvernail has no brain activity and will be taken off life support to donate her organs.
“Layla is sixteen years old and has been playing softball all her life in Recreation and Travelball. She is the definition of a team player and an amazing athlete,” the fundraiser says.
“She loved the game of softball, was a great pitcher, and could play any position her team needed. She uplifted all of her teammates! She has been taken from us too soon and will be greatly missed.”
According to Woods, investigators are working around the clock to “diligently track down every possible lead.”
He added: “We are devastated by the families of these three teenagers, and we are dedicated to bringing whoever is responsible for these atrocious acts to justice.”
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