Teenage Girl's Murder May Have Been a "Hit" to Prevent Her From Testifying in Court

BROOKSVILLE – A teenage girl's life was cut short after a double shooting late Tuesday, and sources tell R News that the killing was not random, but that she may have been intentionally targeted.

Hernando County Sheriff's Deputies responded to 707 Hazel Ave around 11:30 Tuesday night, after receiving a 911 call from someone inside the home, claiming that she and her daughter had been shot. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO/AUDIO

Upon arrival, deputies located a 57-year-old woman and 17-year-old girl with multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen. Before being transported to an ambulance, the teenage victim lost consciousness. Both victims were transported to nearby Grace World Outreach, where they were airlifted to a trauma center. The youngest victim, identified as Hernando High School Junior Isabella Scavelli, later died from her injuries. The second victim survived the shooting and is still recovering.

A third person was inside the home at the time of the shooting, but their identity has not been released. Our sources say that person was hiding in a closet at the time of the shooting and heard the entire nightmare unfold. The witness was not injured during the shooting. R News will not release any identifying information regarding that witness.

Immediately after reporting news of the tragedy, R News began receiving tips from friends and family who knew Scavelli and they say she was intentionally targeted to prevent her from testifying against a rape suspect. There are unconfirmed reports that Scavelli was pregnant with her abuser's child and that he may have ordered a "hit" to silence her. These same sources say Scavelli had just reported the rape to authorities and they were preparing to serve a warrant for his arrest.

R News cannot confirm the allegation and officials have not released the specific details but according to Hernando County Jail records, 36-year-old Lenard White was arrested yesterday on one count of Sexual Assault. This is the same person our sources say raped Isabella Scavelli.

A separate crime scene was established yesterday at 633 Ward Ave, where investigators served a search warrant to collect evidence related to the Hazel Ave shooting. It is unknown what evidence was collected, but sources say two additional arrests have been made that may be related to the shooting.

It is unknown at this time who the alleged suspect is or if they have been taken into custody.

We will continue to bring more on this story as it develops.