A man involved in a disturbing act of violence against a 17-year-old who reported him to the police has been found guilty of murder. Lenard White, aged 37, was identified by Isabella Scavelli and her mother, La Shawn Pope, for a sexual assault on the teenager. Tragically, Isabella was fatally shot the day after the report, when a gunman attacked her at her home.
The assailant, Sheldon Robinson, was later linked to White, leading to White’s arrest. White faced charges including murder for hire, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, firearm discharge during a violent crime, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, as announced by the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Isabella, a high school junior active in various school programs like the ROTC, was shot while trying to flee for help after spotting Robinson at her door. La Shawn, witnessing her daughter’s murder, sustained injuries during the attack and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, authorities swiftly identified Robinson and White as suspects. The murder weapon was recovered from Robinson’s backyard months later, leading to the convictions of both men on multiple charges. White and Robinson are facing multiple life sentences for their crimes and are scheduled for sentencing on January 30, 2026.