Two suspects have been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Zhané Sanders in a drive-by shooting that occurred at The Palms of Archer in June 2022.

According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) release, ACSO detectives identified Geremy Navarro, 22, and Nathaniel Kendrick, 25, and secured warrants for their arrest. Navarro and Kendrick are currently being held in the Marion County Jail on first-degree premeditated murder charges.

The shooting occurred at 2:17 a.m. on June 5, 2022, when ACSO deputies responded to The Palms of Archer at 7117 SW Archer Rd. in Gainesville and discovered a 16-year-old female had been the victim of a drive-by shooting. Sanders was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Sanders was from out of state and was in Gainesville visiting family for a high school graduation celebration. According to the release, she appeared to have been an innocent bystander in the drive-by shooting.

“This is the first step of justice for Zhané and her family,” said Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey in the release. “I commend our detectives and partner agencies for their continuous pursuit of justice for the victims.”

ACSO thanked law enforcement from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department and assistance provided by Bill Gladson the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. Additional charges and persons may be charged as this case moves forward.

Navarro recently stood trial for fatally shooting Ferron Marquise Williams in Ocala on Jan. 27, 2022. Ocala police arrested Navarro on March 31, 2023. He was sentenced to life in prison in the Florida Department of Corrections on Nov. 22.