20-Year-Old & 21-Year-Old Guilty of Murdering Central Florida 19-Year-Old

A 20-year-old and 21-year-old were found guilty of murdering Central Florida 19-year-old David Bartholomew Lyons.




This month, jurors delivered their verdict in the 2020 murder case of 19-year-old David Bartholomew Lyons. After a brief deliberation, reviewing compelling evidence and expert testimony, jurors found both 20-year-old Javarre Latrell Johnson and 21-year-old Ba’Karri Juan’Ya Williams guilty of First-Degree Murder. Johnson and Williams were also found guilty of one count of Armed Robbery, and one count of Possession of Cannabis.

“The loss of this young life is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact that violence can have on a family and a community,” said Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson. “No parent should ever have to endure the pain of losing a child.”

Back on April 20, 2020, officials with the Wildwood Police Department responded to a call for service in reference to a shooting that had just occurred within the city limits of Wildwood. Upon arrival, officers observed three males standing by a vehicle and another male, the victim, later identified as David Lyons, lying on the ground. The victim was pronounced deceased on the scene.

From the information obtained, detectives discovered that the defendants had met up with the victim, who was in the back passenger seat of the vehicle, with the intention of robbing him. During the transaction, the victim was subsequently shot.

All three defendants were placed under arrest.




Co-defendant Lynum pleaded guilty earlier this year in this case and is set to be sentenced later.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Joseph Church and Sonny McCathran.