On April 12, 2024, Factor Adrian Tejax Curup, a 43-year-old man from Cocoa, Florida, was fatally shot during a robbery attempt. The incident occurred after Curup left a 7-Eleven store on Dixon Boulevard, where he had purchased a case of beer.
According to the police, Kenydrick Anderson, a 19-year-old Cocoa man, was identified as the suspect through surveillance video and previous encounters with law enforcement. The surveillance footage showed Anderson trying to conceal himself behind bushes near the 7-Eleven before following Curup. When Curup left the store, Anderson approached him, leading to a confrontation.
During the altercation, Curup attempted to fight back against the robbery attempt. In response, Anderson fired a gun at Curup three times, as admitted by Anderson in subsequent interviews with the police. Curup was found a short time later with gunshot wounds at an apartment complex off Crestview Road and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police executed a search warrant at Anderson's home on Warren Avenue, leading to his arrest on Saturday following the incident. During the search, a handgun was recovered. Anderson is facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted robbery with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 21.
The investigation and arrest were facilitated by the identification of Anderson from the surveillance video and his previous interactions with law enforcement, highlighting the crucial role of surveillance and prior police encounters in solving the case.
