ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP/WFTS) — Authorities say a 13-year-old Florida boy has stabbed his grandmother to death.
St. Petersburg police spokeswoman Sandra Bentil says responding officers found 56-year-old Gloria Davis dead in her home early Monday.
Officials say the woman’s grandson has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Detectives were interviewing people who were in the house. Investigators haven’t said what prompted the attack or who called 911.
Officers said the teen did not have any prior interactions with law enforcement and did not have any known behavioral issues in school.
Davis was watching the children Monday morning when the stabbing occurred, according to St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway.
It will be up to the state attorney's office to decide whether the 13-year-old boy will be tried as an adult, St. Petesburg police said. Davis was the teen's paternal grandmother.
Detectives are combing through social media profiles and electronics owned by the teen to look for clues. They say the boy was cooperating with law enforcement but family members later asked for an attorney.
Davis' neighbors, coworkers and family members told the Scripps station in Tampa WFTS that she worked as a long time postal worker for U.S Postal Service. They said she lived a quiet life and frequently attended a Baptist church.
Her USPS coworkers said Davis did not seem to have any enemies and was always in good spirits. She was expected to report to work on Monday morning but did not show up.
"When we walked in the post office, we could hear her laugh. Her laughter was hearty. If anyone was having a bad day, you could go to her and she'd make you feel good," coworker Tabitha McNeil explained. "This is gut wrenching. We are all in shock and wondering why. I've known her for more than 10 years, and I've never seen her mad or upset."
Gilda Durant, who also worked with Davis, said she was equally puzzled.
"You never heard anything bad about her. That's why this is so devastating for everyone," Durant said. "She never had a bad word to say about anyone and was always smiling."
The Associated Press is not naming the suspect because he is a minor.
