Man accused of killing Florida 14-year-old Ryan Rogers identified

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Police have arrested a man described as an apparent homeless drifter after authorities found a 14-year-old boy dead last month near an interstate overpass in Palm Beach Gardens.

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Officials found Ryan Rogers dead around 9 a.m. Nov. 16 on Central Boulevard near the Interstate 95 overpass. On Thursday, Chief Clinton Shannon said he had been stabbed to death by Semmie Lee Williams, 39.

Records show authorities booked Williams into jail on a charge of first-degree murder just before 11 p.m. Wednesday.

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“He was taken into custody last night in Miami,” Shannon said at a news conference Thursday. “He appears to be a homeless drifter spending most of his time in the streets of Miami.”

The circumstances leading up to Ryan’s death remained unclear after Williams’ arrest. Shannon said the stabbing happened as Ryan was riding a bicycle.

“The incident itself appears to be a completely random act,” the chief said. “We do not have a motive in this case, and I would best describe it as an innocent child victim having a chance encounter with a very violent criminal.”

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Shannon said Williams had no known ties to Palm Beach Gardens or Palm Beach County. He detailed an extensive criminal history for Williams, which includes arrests in Florida, Georgia and California dating back to 2004.

“Although an arrest has been made, this investigation is not nearly over,” Shannon said. He added that authorities do not believe anyone else was involved in Ryan’s death.

A judge ordered Williams held without bond Thursday.

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