MIMS, Fla. – The Mims teenagers facing murder charges in the shooting death of 16-year-old Da’Mari Wilson, identified by his family, faced a Brevard County judge Tuesday.
The Wilson family shared Da’Mari’s picture, telling News 6 in a statement, “He was taken from us before he ever had an opportunity to truly grow into the man he was meant to be.”
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Judge Katherine Jacobus read the charges to Exzaviar David and Robert Loyd, both 19, who were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Wilson in an east Mims neighborhood on Oct. 10.
“You’re here on a charge of second-degree murder with a firearm, which is a life felony, and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, which are both capital felonies,” Judge Jacobus told the suspects in court Tuesday.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office also accused Loyd and David of shooting at two other teenagers, who were not hit, with Wilson on Cypress Avenue that same night.
Loyd and David were initially wanted on warrants for attempted murder, but after the sheriff’s office said Wilson died Friday, their charges were upgraded.
Deputies arrested Loyd on Oct. 14 and arrested David three days later after scouring the east Mims neighborhood where the shooting occurred and locating the second suspect hiding in the woods.
The sheriff’s office still hasn’t said why Loyd and David shot at the other teenagers.
The Wilson family statement shared with News 6 also read they would like to thank the sheriff’s office and the Mims community for “this first step towards justice.”
The judge ordered both Loyd and David to remain in jail without bond.
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