Florida Teen Missing for Two Years Arrested in North Carolina Murder Case
An 18 year old Florida teen missing since age 16 has resurfaced and been charged in connection with a fatal shooting in Durham She is currently held without bond and due back in court in September .
Background Disappearance from Tampa
In June 2023 Gracie Elizabeth Faye Landa then just 16 years old disappeared from her Tampa Florida home Her sudden vanishing sparked concern from family and law enforcement leading to her case being listed in the database of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children While police suspected she might have traveled to North Carolina her whereabouts remained unknown for two years leaving her case unresolved and her family without answers .
Resurfaced as a Murder Suspect
That changed in August 2025 when Landa now 18 was arrested in Durham North Carolina On August 18 police charged her in connection with the May 30 fatal shooting of 23 year old Christopher Piedrasanta Perez The case quickly drew national attention as the missing teenagers reappearance was tied not to a safe return home but to a serious criminal charge .
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The Incident Shooting Near Whippoorwill Park
The events leading to the arrest trace back to the night of May 30 2025 when Piedrasanta Perez and two female friends parked near the entrance of Whippoorwill Park after finishing a DoorDash delivery Shortly after 1230 a m two or three individuals emerged from nearby woods and opened fire on the vehicle Piedrasanta Perez was struck in the head and killed instantly while the two women in the car sustained injuries .
The ambush left the community shaken and prompted a months long investigation that eventually led detectives to Landa .
Details from the Crime Scene
Police described the attack as a targeted shooting More than 40 shell casings were recovered including rounds from 9mm and 223 caliber weapons Surveillance footage showed multiple suspects emerging from the wooded area to carry out the assault before fleeing on foot The sheer volume of gunfire suggested careful planning raising further questions about motive and intent .
Alleged Motive and Investigation Leads
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a romantic dispute that escalated into a confrontation at the park However details of Landas involvement remain murky The arrest warrant does not clearly state her exact role in the shooting leaving uncertainty over whether she was one of the shooters or connected in another way Authorities continue to search for additional suspects believed to have taken part in the attack .
Victims Life and Family Response
The victim Christopher Piedrasanta Perez was remembered by family and friends as a kind funny and hardworking young man He had recently graduated from Southern High School worked at a FedEx warehouse and took on DoorDash deliveries to support himself .
A GoFundMe campaign organized by relatives highlighted his warmth and dedication to family noting he was the first of ten grandchildren and deeply cherished by loved ones .
His mother Amalia Perez voiced her heartbreak He was not out there looking for trouble He was in the wrong place at the wrong time She said she visits his grave daily and expressed hope that all those involved will ultimately be held accountable .
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
After her arrest Landa made her first court appearance on August 20 2025 in Durham County Court where a judge ordered she be held without bond She is currently housed in the Durham County Jail and is scheduled to return to court on September 11 2025 .
Her arrest closes one chapter in the mystery of her disappearance but opens another whether she was a willing participant in the violent crime or if her years away from home involved circumstances that remain undisclosed .
Summary
The case of Gracie Elizabeth Faye Landa highlights a tragic turn of events a missing Florida teenager reappearing not as a recovered runaway but as a defendant in a murder case The killing of Christopher Piedrasanta Perez has left his family grieving and a community searching for justice While police believe the attack was fueled by a personal dispute questions remain about Landas role how she spent the two years she was missing and whether others will soon face charges For now she awaits her next court appearance as the investigation unfolds .