Jahmir Moore was 15 at the time of the 2024 killing and must serve at least 25 years before he can seek release.
TAMPA, Fla. — A Hillsborough County judge sentenced Jahmir Moore to 55 years in prison Friday for the 2024 killing of 14-year-old Jevario Buie, concluding a case that began when both boys were teenagers.
Moore, now 17, was 15 when Buie was killed. The judge cited Moore’s age at the time as a reason for not imposing a life sentence. Under the sentence, Moore must spend at least 25 years in prison before he has an opportunity to be released.
Investigators said surveillance video from 2024 showed Moore and Buie walking together shortly before Buie’s death. Minutes later, the video showed Moore without Buie. Authorities said they believe Moore led Buie to an area near railroad tracks around Busch Boulevard and Rome Avenue, where Buie was killed.
Police did not arrest Moore until nearly a year after the killing. Moore has denied being the person who fired the fatal shot, even as the case moved through the court system and resulted in his conviction.
Friday’s hearing centered in part on how the court should punish a defendant who was 15 when the crime occurred. Buie’s relatives asked the judge to impose a life sentence, while the judge ultimately chose a 55-year term that leaves open the possibility of release after Moore has served the required minimum period.
Members of Buie’s family described the lasting effect of his death during the sentencing hearing. His mother, Jasmine Baldwin, remembered her son as playful and said she continues to miss his laugh, voice and smile. His grandfather, Michael Baldwin Sr., told Moore that accepting responsibility would be an important part of accountability.
Moore’s mother also addressed the court. She said her son should not be viewed as a monster and told the court that her family feels remorse over what happened. Her remarks came as the two families confronted the consequences of a killing involving two boys who were both minors at the time.
For Buie’s relatives, the sentence ends a major stage of the criminal case but does not erase their loss. Baldwin said the family viewed the sentencing as an important chapter to finish after years of investigation and court proceedings, while rejecting the idea that the outcome could provide full closure.
The 55-year sentence now shifts the case from prosecution and sentencing to Moore’s incarceration. Because of the minimum term described in court, any future possibility of release would come only after he has spent decades in prison.
Author note: Last updated October 18, 2026.