Shawn Tyson is due in court later A 16-year-old boy charged with the murders of two British holidaymakers in Florida has been named by detectives.
Shawn Tyson is due in court later charged with murdering James Kouzaris, 24, from Northampton, and James Cooper, 25, of Warwick.
The friends were found shot dead 50ft from each other in a street in the city of Sarasota early on Saturday.
Sarasota police said there was no known link between the suspect and the victims.
Detectives have said the two men, who met at Sheffield University, were found dead in the Newtown area of northern Sarasota, a deprived part of the city.
Local officers said it was “very unusual” to find tourists in the area, several miles from recognised tourist zones.
The two friends had been staying on the island city of Longboat Key, about 12 miles from where they were found.
James Cooper and James Kouzaris were found by police in a residential area of the city of Sarasota Sarasota police said they were not carrying drugs but would not confirm whether they had any money or weapons.
Police captain Paul Sutton said Shawn Tyson was known to officers and had “at least one previous arrest”.
Friends and family have paid tribute to the victims, describing them as role models who lived life to the full.
Mr Kouzaris’ sister, Emily, posted a tribute to him on Facebook that read: “My brother was a legend and he will be missed and loved by many, many people.”
His cousin Lynn Hucker wrote: “To a beautiful cousin who I will never forget. Always happy and full of life.”
Ed Ferrari, Research Fellow from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Town and Regional Planning, said Mr Kouzaris was committed to his studies and “his positive outlook and humour were infectious”.
The tutor said: “He was just the sort of student any lecturer would hope to have in their class.”
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Mr Kouzaris, who was known as Jam, spent several months travelling in South America before his death, visiting Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Bolivia.
He was on a three-week holiday in Florida staying with Mr Cooper and his family.
Mr Cooper worked as a tennis coach for inspire2coach, a company based at the University of Warwick and was due to become head coach when he returned from his holiday. He also played tennis for Warwickshire as a child.
James Roe, his friend and former coach, said Mr Cooper’s claim to fame was that he had played Andy Murray in a junior tournament.
“He was an only child and the apple of his mum and dad’s eye.
“He was a model student and a cracking tennis player,” the coach added.
Mr Cooper was also a Coventry City season ticket holder, he said.
Dr Jon Burchell, Senior Lecturer from the University of Sheffield’s Management School, said Mr Cooper was hard-working and “popular among his peers”.
The tutor said: “He had a good sense of humour and a range of plans for what he wanted to do after graduation.”
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