Almost five years after a tragic shooting in Miami Beach, the gunman has finally admitted to the callous murder of a young father who leapt to protect his baby from a bullet. Tamarius Blair Davis, now 27, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse in a Miami-Dade courtroom on Wednesday.
The Incident
On August 24, 2021, Dustin Wakefield, 21, was dining with his family at the oceanside La Cerveceria restaurant in Miami Beach while on vacation from Castle Rock, Colorado. According to an arrest report, Davis approached the patio area and randomly shot Wakefield, who was with his wife Karina Olguin and their one-year-old son Eli. Davis told police he was high on mushrooms at the time, which made him feel empowered.
A Heroic Act
Witnesses described how Wakefield, upon hearing the threat, grabbed his son and handed him to his grandmother before being shot. Olguin recalled her husband's final moments, saying he begged for his life, telling Davis he had a young son. 'I remember Dustin saying, 'Please, I have a son, he's just a boy.' And that's when it all happened,' she said. She described her husband as a hero and a courageous father for shielding their child.
Aftermath and Arrest
A harrowing video captured the chaos after shots were fired, with people screaming. A witness reported that Davis appeared to celebrate by dancing over Wakefield's body. Davis fled the scene but was captured in a nearby alley. Cellphone video shows him lying on his back, smiling, as officers approached with guns drawn. He surrendered, screaming 'I give, I give, I give.' A black handgun was found nearby.
Family's Response
Wakefield's mother, Lora Wakefield, expressed relief at the guilty plea. 'For four or five years we've been waiting on movement,' she told NBC 6. 'Taking a life is not OK. It was a relief to finally see movement.' She also stated she has forgiven Davis, saying, 'I pray to God that this man is remorseful for his soul sake, I forgive him for his soul sake because he did a horrible thing, and there's no justifying that.'
Legal Proceedings
Davis faces a maximum penalty of life in prison under Florida law. His father, Tommy Davis, expressed shock, saying his son had no prior criminal record or mental health issues. 'You think you know your kid, but you don't,' he said. Davis will be sentenced at a later date.
