Carson Liam Owens, a 16-year-old from Okeechobee, Florida, tragically lost his life on August 27, 2023, during a violent incident at a Quinceañera celebration. The event turned deadly when shots were fired, resulting in Carson's death and injuring three other teenagers.
Carson was born on September 1, 2006, in Stuart, Florida, and was a lifetime resident of Okeechobee. He attended Okeechobee High School Virtual School and was actively involved in his family's business. He is remembered by his loved ones as a person who loved everyone and was loved by everyone in return.
The shooting has left the community in shock and Carson's family seeking answers and justice. Following the incident, a 17-year-old, Sebastian Urbano, was arrested on September 8, 2023, and charged with second-degree murder with a firearm. His bond was set at $750,000. Interestingly, Urbano was once a friend of Carson's, having been on the same soccer team, which has made the motive behind the shooting particularly puzzling for the Owens family.
Despite the arrest of Urbano, the Owens family remains frustrated as they believe investigators have made little progress in identifying other potential suspects involved in the shooting. The family has been actively involved in seeking more information, with Carson's mother, Nicole Owens, conducting her own research and contacting individuals from Carson's phone records. Carson's sister, Riley Owens, has also used social media to gather evidence and encourage witnesses to come forward.
The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office has appealed to the public for any video footage of the incident or for witnesses who have not yet spoken to investigators to come forward. The family is also raising money to increase the reward for information, hoping it will lead to the full accountability of those responsible for Carson's death.
The incident has left a profound impact on the close-knit community, with other families expressing fear about what could happen next if the case is not fully resolved. Carson's family continues to advocate for justice, ensuring that no other family has to endure a similar tragedy.
