Pastor's Boy Charged With Murder For Purposely Running Over Mom After Assaulting Son

An 18-year-old man from Florida is facing first-degree murder charges for intentionally running over a woman last month. The man was identified as Elijah Stansell who was behind the wheel of a church van that ran over Suzette Penton, a Polk City librarian on Nov. 10.

In a report from the New York Daily News, Stansell was with three people at that time. They were identified as Raven Sutton (16), Kimberly Stone (16) and Hannah Eubank (14).

The four showed up at the Penton residence in what appears to be a love-related issue. Stone had previously dated Hunter Penton and it appears there was an issue that revolved around that.

Stansell and Sutton allegedly attacked Hunter and then tried to get away from the van. The mother of Hunter ran out of the house to take pictures of the attackers.

Aware of the intent, Stansell reportedly ran over her intentionally to prevent any photographic images that would serve as evidence of the attack.

Suzette Penton was still brought to the hospital and spent three weeks in critical condition. The 52-year-old eventually passed away according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Elijah Stansell was the only one charged since he was the one driving the van. From attempted murder, his case has been elevated to first-degree murder. Aside from that, he is also being charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling with battery or assault, conspiracy related to that charge and accessory after the commission of a felony, per the Lakeland Ledger.

As for Stansell’s companions, Sutton, Stone and Eubank have also been indicted for burglary of an occupied dwelling with battery or assault, conspiracy to commit burglary and accessory after the fact.

The 18-year-old Stansell is the son of a pastor at the Westwood Missionary Baptist Church in Winter Haven.

“Though there was enough room for the van to maneuver around her as she stood in the roadway, Stansell intentionally ran into her, then over her, before fleeing the scene,” Police said in an official statement.