PLANT CITY, Fla. — A man is in custody nearly two months after a shooting left his brother and a 3-year-old dead outside a Lakeland apartment complex.
Demarius Wilson, 22, was arrested just after 9 p.m. Monday during a traffic stop by the Plant City Police Department.
Police have been searching for him since the deadly March 11 shooting in the area of 1850 Cambridge Cove Circle.
That night, four people were sitting in a Toyota RAV4 at the Cambridge Cove Apartments after visiting a friend. The occupants included 3-year-old Jaquez Norton; his 3-month-old sister; their mother, 21-year-old Yeimarie Baez; and 23-year-old Robert Einzig.
While they were trying to leave the complex, investigators said three men in a white 2014 Dodge Challenger blocked them in head-on.
According to police, Demarius Wilson stayed in the Challenger while his brother, 22-year-old Kemarius Wilson and 30-year-old Kevarius Green approached the RAV4 with guns.
Investigators said during that confrontation, gunshots were exchanged, and Einzig fired back while Baez ran from the car with her 3-month-old. It was during this exchange that police believe 3-year-old Jaquez Norton was shot and killed in the back seat of the car.
Demarius Wilson and Green reportedly fled the scene in the Dodge Challenger. Kemarius Wilson was placed into another car and taken to Lakeland Regional Health where he was pronounced dead.
Police believe that after the shooting, Demarius Wilson tried to hide the Challenger, which was found covered with a black tarp at a home on West Crawford Street near Lincoln Avenue. He was arrested Monday on charges of tampering with evidence.
"We are pleased Demarius Wilson is in custody where he belongs. We are grateful to the public for all of the leads and tips provided and we thank the Plant City Police Department for their valuable assistance. Our detectives have worked tirelessly on this case since it began and continue to pursue every lead and process all evidence to prosecute all the individuals involved. Our hearts continue to be with the family and are committed to ensure they receive justice," Lakeland Police Department Chief Sammy Taylor said.
Kevarius Green previously turned himself in to police on March 19. Green was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle and attempted first-degree murder.
