Antonio Maurice Graham, a 45-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on February 16, 2021, in Saint Petersburg, Florida. His death was part of a horrific incident where he, along with his grandmother, Patricia Ann Whitfield Sharpe, aged 66, and his great-grandmother, Sallie Hobbs Whitfield, aged 83, were fatally shot. The incident occurred in their family home, where another relative was also shot but managed to escape and call for help.
A 2-year-old child was present in the home during the shooting but was unharmed.
The suspect in this tragic event is Cornelius Whitfield, a 31-year-old African American male, who is also a relative of the victims. Whitfield was arrested by the St. Petersburg police after they tore down the front wall of the home to apprehend him. He was wanted on first-degree murder and attempted murder charges from a prior shooting at a local apartment complex earlier that month. Whitfield had a criminal history, having served two prior sentences in Florida state prison on drug charges.
Following his arrest, Whitfield was held without bond. The community was deeply affected by the tragedy, and a GoFundMe page was started to help cover the burial expenses for the victims. The case drew significant media attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the familial ties between the suspect and the victims. The investigation into the murders was thorough, with the police ensuring that Whitfield faced justice for his actions.
