Topline: Since the attack, the victim remained hospitalized. On March 16, 2025, she was pronounced dead.
Published: March 23, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Antonio Gueits (via Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
TAMPA, FL — Police in Florida have charged a man with murder following a violent robbery in December.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to the University Area Park, located at 14013 N. 22nd Street in Tampa, Florida, on the morning of December 26, 2024, and found a severely injured woman who had been brutally attacked and robbed.
According to a news release, surveillance footage later revealed that Antonio Gueits, 18, approached the victim and struck her in the face, causing her to collapse.
While she laid unconscious, he repeatedly stomped on her head, inflicting severe injuries, including multiple broken bones and a brain bleed, police said.
After stealing her purse, he fled the scene.
Later that same day, detectives positively identified Gueits and took him into custody without incident.
Since the attack, the victim, Cerida Charon, 65, remained hospitalized. On March 16, 2025, she was pronounced deceased at Morton Plant Hospital.
An autopsy conducted by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office, confirmed the cause of death as complications from blunt force head trauma.
The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
On March 17, 2025, Gueits was charged with First-Degree Murder.
“This was a completely senseless and inhumane attack over nothing more than a purse,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This innocent woman was left unconscious, suffering, and fighting for her life for months because of this man’s horrific actions. Now, with her tragic passing, we will make sure he is held fully accountable for this brutal crime.”
This remains an active investigation.
Law&Crime reported amotion to keep Gueits in jail until his trial explained the incident further.
“[V]ideo surveillance captured[] the elderly victim, being approached by the defendant while she was sitting on a bench inside the University Community Park,” the motion states. “Several seconds later, the victim stands up from the bench and cowers away from the defendant, at which time, the defendant punches the victim on the right side of her face causing her to fall to the ground. The defendant then delivers a kick to the victim causing her to fall over and then begins to stomp and kick the victim repeatedly, causing her to sustain several broken bones to her face and a brain bleed.”
It was also reported that Gueits told police “it felt good” while he was hitting the victim because it “felt good to get his anger out.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Antonio Gueits (via Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
TAMPA, FL — Police in Florida have charged a man with murder following a violent robbery in December.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to the University Area Park, located at 14013 N. 22nd Street in Tampa, Florida, on the morning of December 26, 2024, and found a severely injured woman who had been brutally attacked and robbed.
According to a news release, surveillance footage later revealed that Antonio Gueits, 18, approached the victim and struck her in the face, causing her to collapse.
While she laid unconscious, he repeatedly stomped on her head, inflicting severe injuries, including multiple broken bones and a brain bleed, police said.
After stealing her purse, he fled the scene.
Later that same day, detectives positively identified Gueits and took him into custody without incident.
Since the attack, the victim, Cerida Charon, 65, remained hospitalized. On March 16, 2025, she was pronounced deceased at Morton Plant Hospital.
An autopsy conducted by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office, confirmed the cause of death as complications from blunt force head trauma.
The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
On March 17, 2025, Gueits was charged with First-Degree Murder.
“This was a completely senseless and inhumane attack over nothing more than a purse,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This innocent woman was left unconscious, suffering, and fighting for her life for months because of this man’s horrific actions. Now, with her tragic passing, we will make sure he is held fully accountable for this brutal crime.”
This remains an active investigation.
Law&Crime reported amotion to keep Gueits in jail until his trial explained the incident further.
“[V]ideo surveillance captured[] the elderly victim, being approached by the defendant while she was sitting on a bench inside the University Community Park,” the motion states. “Several seconds later, the victim stands up from the bench and cowers away from the defendant, at which time, the defendant punches the victim on the right side of her face causing her to fall to the ground. The defendant then delivers a kick to the victim causing her to fall over and then begins to stomp and kick the victim repeatedly, causing her to sustain several broken bones to her face and a brain bleed.”
It was also reported that Gueits told police “it felt good” while he was hitting the victim because it “felt good to get his anger out.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Florida Teen Charged With First Degree Murder in Violent Robbery in December
Since the attack, the victim remained hospitalized. On March 16, 2025, she was pronounced dead.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 23, 2025 7:00 am ET
Antonio Gueits (via Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
TAMPA, FL — Police in Florida have charged a man with murder following a violent robbery in December.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to the University Area Park, located at 14013 N. 22nd Street in Tampa, Florida, on the morning of December 26, 2024, and found a severely injured woman who had been brutally attacked and robbed.
According to a news release, surveillance footage later revealed that Antonio Gueits, 18, approached the victim and struck her in the face, causing her to collapse.
While she laid unconscious, he repeatedly stomped on her head, inflicting severe injuries, including multiple broken bones and a brain bleed, police said.
After stealing her purse, he fled the scene.
Later that same day, detectives positively identified Gueits and took him into custody without incident.
Since the attack, the victim, Cerida Charon, 65, remained hospitalized. On March 16, 2025, she was pronounced deceased at Morton Plant Hospital.
An autopsy conducted by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office, confirmed the cause of death as complications from blunt force head trauma.
The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
On March 17, 2025, Gueits was charged with First-Degree Murder.
“This was a completely senseless and inhumane attack over nothing more than a purse,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This innocent woman was left unconscious, suffering, and fighting for her life for months because of this man’s horrific actions. Now, with her tragic passing, we will make sure he is held fully accountable for this brutal crime.”
This remains an active investigation.
Law&Crime reported amotion to keep Gueits in jail until his trial explained the incident further.
“[V]ideo surveillance captured[] the elderly victim, being approached by the defendant while she was sitting on a bench inside the University Community Park,” the motion states. “Several seconds later, the victim stands up from the bench and cowers away from the defendant, at which time, the defendant punches the victim on the right side of her face causing her to fall to the ground. The defendant then delivers a kick to the victim causing her to fall over and then begins to stomp and kick the victim repeatedly, causing her to sustain several broken bones to her face and a brain bleed.”
It was also reported that Gueits told police “it felt good” while he was hitting the victim because it “felt good to get his anger out.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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