A Gadsden County jury found Tyrone Kevontae Washington guilty of murdering a security guard during a 2023 armed robbery at a local internet café, the State Attorney’s Office for the 2nd Judicial Circuit announced.
Prosecutors said Washington fatally shot security guard Lewis Butler and wounded store clerk DeeAnna Owens during an attempted robbery in November 2023. Owens survived the shooting and later testified at trial about the attack.
Jurors convicted Washington on Nov. 5 of first-degree murder with a firearm, attempted first-degree felony murder with a firearm, attempted armed robbery with a firearm, and related charges.
The two-day trial included testimony from 15 state witnesses, including a medical examiner, a DNA analyst and a firearms expert. Evidence presented by prosecutors included surveillance videos, crime-scene photographs, various cartridge casings and multiple recovered projectiles.
Investigators said Washington and a co-defendant approached the business armed with guns and tried to rob it before gunfire broke out. The co-defendant is expected to be tried at a later date. Sentencing for Washington is scheduled for Dec. 2.
Assistant State Attorney Sara Hassler prosecuted. Charles Lammers of the Office of Criminal Conflict represented Washington. Judge Ronald Flury presided.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Jury convicts suspect in 2023 Gadsden County internet café murder
Reporting by Staff report, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
