Two Florida men, 16-year-old girl arrested for murdering MMA fighter Aaron Rajman

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ashington Post Reports: Three people have been charged with the first-degree murder of mixed martial arts fighter Aaron Rajman, who was killed during a violent home invasion in July at his home in suburban Boca Raton, Fla. Among the accused is 16-year-old girl Summer Church, although her mother has told local media that she is innocent and was used by the other two suspects, Roberto Ortiz and Jace Swinton, both 18.

“My daughter was held at gunpoint and forced to make a phone call to him,” Judi Church, 50, told the Orlando Sun Sentinel.

The call, Judi Church said, was made to supposedly confirm whether Rajman was home.

“The state attorney needed to arrest somebody, and they decided she was the criminal mastermind behind all this even though she told them everything she knows,” Judi Church continued, adding that her daughter has been cooperating with detectives throughout the investigation.

Palm Beach police, however, appear to know a different version of the girl, who is being charged as an adult.

“This was no random act of violence,” Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said in a statement (via the Palm Beach Post) on Friday. “Mr. Rajman was targeted by these defendants, and we intend to seek justice for the victim and his family.”

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Rajman, 25, was shot dead the night of July 3 after he struggled with several assailants who broke into his home. According to the Palm Beach Post, the Sheriff’s Office made no mention of a female intruder in its initial report. It remains unclear how Rajman knew Summer Church, or whether Church ever attempted to stop the murder by telling anyone after she was allegedly dropped off.

If convicted, the defendants could face life in prison or even the death penalty.

Rajman, an Orthodox Jew nicknamed “the Matzoh Brawler,” was just beginning his pro MMA career when he was killed. His last victory was in 2015, when he beat Rusty Crowder via split decision.

Immediately following his death, Rajman was remembered as a respected fighter and member of his community. Rajman’s training facility, West Boca Tai Chi, offered a particularly fond remembrance of the fighter, noting he had a “huge heart” and “quick smile.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

Aaron Rajman, a 25 year old Lubavitch MMA fighter from Boca Raton, Florida, was fatally shot in a home invasion by unidentified men who broke into his home last night at approximately 10:30 pm.

Police are still trying to determine the cause of the break-in, and whether it was a random robbery gone awry or a targeted attack. Preliminary evidence suggests a targeted attack, as the suspects broke in to the house, shot him, and quickly sped off in a getaway vehicle. No motive for the attack is known at this time.

Rajman was a member of Chabad of West Boca Raton, Florida and was very active in the Jewish community.family according to his family Rabbi, Rabbi Zalmon Bukiet.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is investigated the nature of the home invasion and the case is being investigated as a homicide.



Aaron Rajman interviewed after a recent fight

In an exclusive interview with JBN, fellow MMA fighter and friend of Rajman, Rabbi Yossi Eilfort, said he was saddened by the senseless murder. Eilfort, a self- defense and firearms instructor, said that “Aaron, may his soul Rest In Peace, was very optimistic and devoted young man, he cared a lot about his family and friends and was hoping to develop a career in training future MMA fighters.”

While Eilfort did not want to speculate or reveal personal information he had about this incident, he said “I know it is common place in the MMA world to get involved in mudslinging and petty fights and that has to end.”



MMA fighter Yossi Eilfort

“MMA fighters need to keep themselves safe and need to focus on the high road. They need to understand that MMA is a sport and not an an all around self-defense. My understanding is that several people rushed Rajman and it doesn’t matter how powerful or fast you are, you are not as faster than a bullet.” Eilfort said.

“The only thing that will stop bad guys with guns, is a good guy with a gun and while learning MMA is critical to self-defese, it is also good to train with a firearm.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS

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