Riviera Beach, Florida — A 14-year-old boy is facing a first-degree murder charge after police linked him to a shooting that left a man dead last month. The incident occurred on May 19, and the teenager was taken into custody on Monday night after multiple reports raised concerns about his whereabouts.
According to authorities, the shooting unfolded shortly after 10 p.m. when gunfire was detected by the ShotSpotter System in two separate locations. Officers responding to the scene discovered a crashed Nissan Altima on West 30th Street. Inside, they found Noelsaint Gulesaint, 32, deceased from multiple gunshot wounds.
A probable cause affidavit revealed that investigators located a bicycle near the scene, showing signs of use, as well as pieces of a dislodged car that suggested possible collision. Witnesses reported observing a boy, described as “short in stature,” brandishing a firearm as he approached the victim’s vehicle. According to one witness, the youth confronted Gulesaint, saying, “Man, you almost hit me with your car,” just before an altercation ensued over the firearm.
Witness accounts indicate that after the initial confrontation, the teenager gained control of the weapon and shot Gulesaint multiple times while he was still inside the vehicle. Additional shots were fired as Gulesaint lay on the ground, according to investigators. Following the shooting, the victim’s car continued moving until it came to a stop several blocks away.
Video evidence later captured the young suspect riding the same bicycle prior to the shooting. As concerns escalated over his disappearance, police conducted searches at various locations, revealing that the youth also had an outstanding warrant for a previous incident.
On May 25, a patrol officer spotted the boy walking along RJ Hendley Avenue, fitting the description authorities had disseminated. Upon contact, he was found carrying a loaded 9mm handgun. During questioning, the teen claimed he felt threatened by a red vehicle speeding toward him on the night of the shooting, suggesting that he acted in self-defense.
The teenager alleged that the driver attempted to run him over, prompting him to fire shots at the car. He detailed how the gun jammed during the encounter and mentioned feeling compelled to chase the vehicle down the street to further discharge his weapon at Gulesaint.
In the aftermath, the youth reportedly disposed of clothing he wore during the incident. Though he expressed no remorse for the victim, the legal consequences he faces are severe. He has been charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a minor, and he remains in custody without bond as the case unfolds.