Kevarius Green: Man charged with shooting death of 3-year-old boy accidentally killed his own accomplice during gunbattle
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
LAKELAND, FLORIDA: Kevarius Green, 30, is facing charges related to a tragic incident involving an ambush shootout that resulted in the death of a three-year-old boy named Jaquez "JD" Norton.
During the same incident, Green accidentally shot another suspect, Kemarius Wilson, 22. He is currently held without bond at the Polk County Jail and has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, as per Law&Crime.
Authorities are also seeking another suspect, Demarius Wilson, who participated in the shootout and is believed to be involved in Norton's death.
Kevarius Green apparently shot Jaquez 'JD' Norton four times
Norton, accompanied by his 3-month-old sister, their mother, Yeimarie Baez, 21, and a male family friend, Robert Einzig, 23, was traveling in a Toyota RAV4, departing from the Cambridge Grove apartment complex, according to WTSP.
Their journey was abruptly halted when a Dodge Challenger, allegedly driven by Demarius, blocked their path head-on.
Exiting the Challenger, Green and Demarius' twin brother, Kemarius, positioned themselves on either side of the RAV4. Around 6.30 pm on March 11, Green allegedly initiated gunfire, striking Norton four times, including a fatal shot to the head.
Einzig, who got shot in his leg, retaliated, exchanging fire with the assailants.
"We had an ongoing gunbattle," remarked Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor about the incident. While Green and Demarius fled the scene in the Challenger, Kemarius was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Describing the three-year-old boy as a cherished member of the family, his grandmother, Pilar Rivera, expressed profound grief, recalling the joy his arrival brought to their lives.
Accompanied by his attorney, Green surrendered himself to authorities on March 19.
Police seek public help to apprehend Demarius Wilson
Authorities are actively seeking Demarius, aiming to arrest him for evidence tampering. They claim he tried to hide the Challenger after the fatal shooting.
Considered armed and dangerous, he is known to have connections in the Lakeland, Plant City, and Orlando areas.
Individuals with any information regarding his whereabouts are urged to contact the respective law enforcement agency of their jurisdiction or reach out to the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900.
Individuals who prefer to maintain their anonymity are encouraged to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers through various means: they can call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477), use **TIPS if dialing from a cell phone, visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com to submit a tip or download the free "P3tips" app on a smartphone or tablet.
Tipsters who provide information through Crime Stoppers may qualify for a cash reward of $5,000 if their tip results in an arrest.
