A young father visiting Miami Beach from Colorado with his family was shot and killed while shielding his one-year-old son from a crazed gunman, who police say opened fire at diners at an outdoor restaurant, and then celebrated the killing by dancing on top of the victim’s body.
Tamarius Blair Davis, 22, of Norcross, Georgia, told investigators he shot Dustin Wakefield, 21, on Tuesday night because he ‘was high on mushrooms, which made him feel empowered,’ according to his arrest report.
Davis allegedly told police he approached the patio area of the La Cerveceria restaurant just before 6.30pm and randomly decided to shoot Wakefield, who was on vacation from Castle Rock, Colorado with his young wife and their son.
In a short video taken immediately after the shooting and obtained by WSVN-TV, the gunman can be seen dancing while people are heard screaming. The gunman then walks up some steps, the weapon in his hand.
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This image provided by the Miami-Dade Police Department shows Tamarius Davis Jr (left), police say who fatally shot a tourist, Dustin Wakefield, 21 (right), eating dinner with his family at a Miami Beach restaurant on Tuesday. Family said Wakefield died protecting his son
Video showed Davis celebrating the killing by dancing, reportedly on top of Wakefield’s body
The incident took place at La Cerveceria restaurant in Miami Beach on Tuesday
Mike Wakefield, the victim’s uncle, told the Miami Herald that Dustin Wakefield died protecting his young son.
‘This guy came in with a gun waving it, saying it’s time to die. He pointed the gun at his son and Dustin said, “He’s only a boy,”’ said Mike Wakefield, who was not in South Beach but heard the account from his family. ‘Dustin stood up between the gunman and the baby and he shot him. He shot him multiple times on the ground.’
A witness told CBS Miami that after the shooting, Davis celebrated by dancing on top of Wakefield.
Wakefield was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
The victim’s uncle said of his nephew, who worked in construction, ‘He was the kindest kid. He loved his family. He loved being a dad.’
Davis was arrested in an alley a short time later. He was said to have told cops he shot Wakefield at random because he ‘was high on mushrooms, which made him feel empowered’
Davis fled the restaurant, police said, and was captured in a nearby alley. Cellphone video obtained by the Herald shows Davis lying spread-eagle on his back and smiling as three officers approach with their guns pointed towards him yelling commands, warning him that if he touches his gun he will be shot.
Davis then rolled onto his side into a fetal position, before again rolling onto his back as officers approached. Davis screamed ‘I give, I give, I give’ as officers flip him onto his stomach and handcuff him. The video shows a black handgun lying about 10 feet away.
Tommy Davis, the suspect’s father, told The Associated Press that his son, who works for UPS, had traveled to Miami Beach with some friends. He said his son has never been in trouble or had mental health issues. No arrest record for the younger Davis could be found.
‘This is an unlikely thing,’ the senior Davis said. ’We are trying to find out what happened. You can imagine we were shocked.’
Wakefield was visiting Miami Beach with his wife and young son from their home in Castle Rock, Colorado
According to family, Wakefield worked construction and loved being a dad
He said he didn’t know whether his son would ingest mushrooms or other drugs.
‘You think you know your kid, but you don’t,’ he said. ‘It is possible someone gave him something. That is something we need to find out.’
Davis is charged with second-degree murder, and also for attempted murder for allegedly shooting at another man while chasing him moments before Wakefield’s killing.
Police said the man Davis was chasing escaped unharmed, reported Local 10.
During his initial court appearance, a judge ordered Davis held in the Miami-Dade County Jail without bond, telling him that he killed someone ‘in cold blood.’
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Wakefield’s family, including his wife of two years and their son.