18-year-old charged with musician's murder | Crime

Winter Haven, Florida -- Winter Haven Police Chief Gary Hester made an announcement about a "significant update" in the case of a murdered musician from Orlando.

Back in September of 2011, Ralph Ameduri Jr. was gunned down while taking a break between sets on a patio behind Jessie's Bar in Winter Haven. The 45-year-old bass player was approached by a man with a gun who demanded money and was shot in the head during the robbery.

Surveillance video and a police sketch of the suspect with the lower portion of his face covered was released with a reward of $15,000 also offered. 

On Thursday, Police Chief Hester said his department has charged 18-year-old Samuel Sweet, Jr. with Ameduri, Jr.'s murder. 

Chief Hester said it was a tip they received a few weeks ago led them to a vehicle, which was captured on surveillance video that night. It eventually brought them to Sweet.

Sweet, a Winter Haven resident, has been booked into the Polk County Jail and faces charges of First Degree Murder, four counts of Attempted Armed Robbery with a Firearm and one count Tampering/Fabricating Physical Evidence.