On March 11, 2024, 3-year-old Jaquez JD Norton was killed in a shooting at the Cambridge Cove apartment complex in Lakeland, Florida. JD was sitting in the backseat of a 2023 Toyota RAV4 with his 3-month-old sister, his mother Yeimarie Baez, and her boyfriend Robert Einzig when a 2014 white Dodge Challenger driven by Demarius Wilson blocked the RAV4. Two men from the Challenger, identified as Kavarius Green, 30, and Kemarius Wilson, 22, got out and an argument escalated into gunfire. Green opened fire with a rifle; JD was struck multiple times. Kemarius Wilson was shot in the neck and later died at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Einzig returned fire and suffered non-life-threatening wounds to his lower body; Baez escaped with the infant unharmed.

Kavarius Green has been charged with two counts of murder, including JD’s death, and surrendered to authorities; his attorney plans to assert self-defense. Police say they believe the attack was targeted and are still seeking Demarius Wilson, who is believed to have driven the Challenger; a $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest. JD’s family describes him as a happy, loving child and is pleading for justice. If anyone has information about the shooting or the whereabouts of Demarius Wilson, please come forward.