Willie Lee Jones, 60, was shot and killed on October 26, 2021, around 5:30 p.m. on the 3800 block of SE 95th Street in Ocala, Florida. Jones had broken down on the side of the road and was seeking help when the shooting occurred.

Witnesses identified the shooter as Johnnie Bee Samuel, who fled in an older model Cadillac convertible. Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office pursued Samuel; the chase ended in Sumter County after a P.I.T. maneuver and Samuel was arrested. Detectives recovered a .38 caliber Charter Arms revolver in Samuel’s vehicle, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement forensic testing matched projectiles from that gun to those recovered from Jones’ body. Samuel was held without bond and charged with felony murder.

Jones was described by family as fun-loving and well-liked in the community. Reports say Jones and Samuel were known to each other and that Jones had likely helped Samuel in the past, but the motive for the killing remains unclear. If anyone knew Willie Lee Jones or has information about what happened that evening, please share what you know.