Missing Florida Teen Resurfaces After Fatal Shooting of North Carolina Man

Florida teen who went missing two years ago reappeared after being charged with gunning down North Carolina man

Missing Florida Teen Found in North Carolina Faces Murder Charges

A Florida teenager, missing for over two years, has been located in North Carolina and is now implicated in the fatal shooting of a dedicated FedEx employee who had just finished a DoorDash delivery.

Eighteen-year-old Gracie Elizabeth Landa was charged on Tuesday with the murder of 23-year-old Christopher Piedrasanta-Perez, who was shot and killed in his Honda Accord near Whippoorwill Park in Durham on May 30, according to a warrant accessed by local media.

Landa was reported missing from Tampa in June 2023 when she was just 16, becoming a case for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

About a year after her disappearance, authorities believed she was likely residing in the Durham area, although her whereabouts remained publicly unknown until the murder charges were filed against her.

On the early morning of May 30, Piedrasanta-Perez was parked with two women near the park entrance when two to three assailants approached the vehicle and unleashed a barrage of gunfire. Both women with him were injured in the incident, but their current medical status is unclear.

Emergency services were alerted via a 911 call shortly after the shooting, responding to find Piedrasanta-Perez deceased from a gunshot wound to the head inside his car.

Surveillance footage from a nearby park captured the moment two individuals emerged from the woods and opened fire. The group was at the park for a pre-arranged confrontation; however, as Piedrasanta-Perez drove into the area, the shooting transpired.

The warrant indicates that the motive for the confrontation stemmed from a dispute over romantic relationships, but does not clarify Landa’s specific role in the events.

Piedrasanta-Perez’s mother recounted to local media that her son had just concluded a DoorDash delivery with his girlfriend and was sitting in the vehicle when he came under gunfire. She expressed deep sorrow, stating, “He wasn’t out there looking for trouble. I can’t comprehend why this happened. He simply was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Since the tragedy, she has visited his grave daily, stating, "It’s been incredibly difficult; we haven’t stopped going to see him."

Authorities have informed her that additional suspects involved in the shooting remain at large, but she has confidence that the police will apprehend them.

Piedrasanta-Perez was a graduate of Southern High School and worked both as a FedEx warehouse staff member and a DoorDash driver. His mother highlighted his joyful nature and close relationships with family, describing him as a beloved son and brother with a characteristic smile.

Described as a kind and affectionate individual by those close to him, Piedrasanta-Perez was the youngest of two siblings and one of ten grandchildren. A GoFundMe page established in May captures his essence as “a light in our lives,” emphasizing his calming presence that made others feel secure.

As for Landa, she remains in custody at the Durham County jail without bond, according to the local sheriff’s office. She made her initial court appearance on Wednesday and is scheduled to return on September 11.

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