Twin Palm Bay Murder Suspects Captured in Virginia

By  //  May 24, 2012

Apprehended While Fleeing

Octavious Toppin

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Twin brothers have been captured in Virginia and face murder charges following the shooting death of a Palm Bay man Wednesday.

Raymond Torres, 25, was shot standing in his driveway outside his home at 1485 Healey Street NW in Palm Bay about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Octavius Toppin, 34 and his twin brother Obadiah Toppin, 34, were captured by Virginia State Police early this morning south of Quantico, Virginia.

Obadiah Toppin

Patrol officers responding to reports of multiple gunshots Wednesday afternoon at the Healey Street address found Torres bleeding from a gunshot wound.

Palm Bay Fire-Rescue paramedics immediately began treatment and Torres was later flown to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives with the Palm Bay Police Major Case Unit responded and began the investigation by interviewing witnesses as crime scene technicians processed the scene for evidence.

Several witnesses provided information regarding the identity of the suspects including a vehicle description.

Further investigation revealed the suspects were believed to be traveling in a large white SUV and were possibly heading to New York where they have family connections.

Law enforcement agencies along the entire eastern United States were alerted through bulletins for the vehicle and suspect descriptions and arrest warrants that were issued for the Toppin brothers.

Just after 4 a.m. Thursday, authorities in Virginia notified detectives the white SUV occupied by the two suspects was located near Quantico and both were in custody.

State police troopers positioned themselves on I-95 in an attempt to intercept the suspect vehicle.

Virginia Trooper J.C. Jeanty had observed the suspect vehicle heading north on I-95 and stopped it at the 145 mile marker in Stafford County, south of Quantico.

The suspects were taken into custody without incident.

The Game Over Task Force provided critical information during the initial investigation that helped facilitate a quick resolution.

Matters pertaining to extradition will be dealt with during the brothers’ initial court appearance in Virginia and the investigation is ongoing.

The brothers are currently being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail in Stafford County, Virginia pending extradition back to Florida.

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