Isabella Angelina Scavelli, a 17-year-old female from Brooksville, Florida, tragically lost her life on February 7, 2023, in a violent incident that shook the local community. Isabella, who was known for her vibrant personality and involvement in various school activities, was a student at Hernando High School, where she played tennis, participated in student government, and was a member of the JROTC program.
She had aspirations of joining the military after graduation.
On the night of February 7, Isabella and a relative were shot at their home near Hazel Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in South Brooksville. While her relative survived the attack, Isabella succumbed to her injuries. Authorities later revealed that she had been shot four times, with the fatal bullet entering her lower left back, suggesting she was shot while trying to flee.
Investigations uncovered that Isabella, a 17-year-old female, had reported a sexual assault just one day before her murder. The suspect in the assault, 36-year-old Lenard White, was accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot to silence her. White allegedly paid 21-year-old Sheldon Robinson $10,000 to carry out the killing. Robinson, in turn, sought assistance through social media, offering $5,000 and cocaine to anyone willing to help him with what he described as a "clean-up job."
This led to the involvement of 22-year-old Keyshawn Woods, a documented gang member, who accompanied Robinson to Isabella’s home. The two reportedly carried out the shooting at 11:30 p.m., killing Isabella and injuring her relative. Authorities emphasized that Isabella, a 17-year-old female, was not engaged in any high-risk activities and was simply a bright young woman with a promising future.
In addition to the arrests of White, Robinson, and Woods, Woods’ mother, Janet Williams, faced federal charges for allegedly making false statements to an ATF agent. Law enforcement officials expressed their determination to bring justice to Isabella, stating that her murder was a senseless act of violence that deeply affected the community. The case was taken personally by detectives, who were committed to ensuring that those responsible were held accountable.
