The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has charged Antonio Gueits, 18, with first-degree murder following a brutal attack that led to the death of 65-year-old Cerida Charon.
On December 26, 2024, at approximately 6:56 a.m., deputies responded to University Area Park, located at 14013 N. 22nd Street in Tampa. Upon arrival, they found Charon severely injured after being violently attacked and robbed.
Surveillance footage showed Gueits approaching the victim and striking her in the face, causing her to collapse. While she was unconscious, he repeatedly stomped on her head, inflicting multiple broken bones and a brain bleed. After stealing her purse, Gueits fled the scene.
Later that day, detectives identified Gueits and took him into custody. Charon remained hospitalized and, on March 16, 2025, was pronounced deceased at Morton Plant Hospital. An autopsy confirmed her cause of death as blunt force head trauma, with the manner of death ruled a homicide.
On March 17, 2025, Gueits was charged with first-degree murder. Sheriff Chad Chronister described the attack as “senseless and inhumane” and vowed to ensure Gueits is held accountable for the crime.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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