Indian River County, Florida – Following a tragic incident where two Brevard County teens were fatally shot during a meetup to buy vape pens, two teenagers from Indian River County face new charges and will be tried as adults. The arrests of Jaime Mosqueda, 17, and John Govea, 16, in connection to the March 11 shootings of Joseph Mitchel Cardella, 19, and Logan James Thompson, 19, have stirred the community.
Sergeant Kevin Jaworski of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office revealed that detectives are actively investigating the case. Govea, who was initially held in juvenile detention, has been charged as an adult with multiple offenses including murder, accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence.
Mosqueda, the suspected shooter, faces charges of second-degree murder with a firearm, robbery with a deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence. Sheriff Eric Flowers initially identified Govea as a key witness in the investigation but later found evidence contradicting Govea’s statements about his knowledge of the plans.
Both teens attended local schools, with Govea at Storm Grove Middle School and Mosqueda at Sebastian River Middle School. The tragic incident unfolded when Govea and Mosqueda arranged a meeting to purchase THC vape pens. The violent encounter resulted in the deaths of Cardella and Thompson, who were fatally shot multiple times.
During a news conference, Sheriff Flowers disclosed that Mosqueda fired 20 rounds during the incident and then discarded the weapon. The authorities found the handgun used in the shooting hidden after the incident. Govea remains in custody without bond until his arraignment in June.
The community continues to mourn the loss of the two young lives while seeking justice for the victims. As the investigation unfolds, the legal proceedings against the two teenagers will shed light on the events leading to the tragic shooting. The impact of this senseless act reverberates throughout Indian River County, prompting discussions about safety and youth involvement in criminal activities.