Hawthorne teen kills 14-year-old brother, injures mother in murder-suicide

HAWTHORNE, Fla. (WCJB) - We are following a developing story after two teenage boys in Hawthorne were shot and killed. Deputies are calling this an attempted murder-suicide.

Deputies say the suspect is 17-year-old Maximus Daniel Lacava. They say he shot and killed his brother, 14-year-old Gilbert Mayson and shot and injured his 45-year-old mother, Andrea M. Price.

The boys’ mother is currently in the hospital being treated for what deputies describe as life-threatening gunshot wounds. Deputies say the boys do have separate fathers.

The home where the shooting happened is tucked into a private drive in Hawthorne--off of CR 2802. Deputies say relatives also live in several homes on that private drive.

As details in the investigation are still being uncovered, the community is working together to help each other and the family mourn the tragic loss. Hawthorne Mayor Matt Surrency said the brothers were familiar faces to many.

“Especially in a small, tight-knit community like Hawthorne is,” said Surrency, “where everybody really knows everybody and is someway connected ... and kids have grown up together and played in sports together ... and you’re very familiar with each other and grew up with their parents. It is really just shocking-- it’s the only word to use.”

Both boys were students at Hawthorne Middle/ High School.

“Obviously we were stunned at the news,” said Alachua County Public Schools Director Jackie Johnson. “It is a very tragic day for the school system and certainly Hawthorne Middle/ High School. We do have extra counselors who are at the school today ... they will be there again tomorrow. They have been providing some additional support to students and staff who really need help getting through this situation.”

Moving forward, Surrency said he wants the family affected by the tragedy to know that the community is there for them.

“For the family, I just want them to know that we have a big Hawthorne community that loves and supports them and wants to do anything we can to be able to help them.”

This is a developing story. For updates, check our social media and tune in to WCJB.

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