18-year-old arrested for shooting friend who became upset while listening to music

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Davarius Lavern Martin, 18, was arrested yesterday evening for shooting a friend who became upset and started yelling at him while they were listening to music.

According to the arrest report, deputies responded to a call of a person “going crazy” in the 1800 block of SW 67th Terrace. After arriving, they learned that someone had been shot inside the residence, and an 18-year-old male was found shot in the chest. Two other men, Martin and his 21-year-old brother, were also in the residence at the time.

Martin reportedly spontaneously admitted to deputies that he had shot the victim, but he said it was self-defense. During a post-Miranda interview, Martin said he and the victim had been listening to music when the victim became upset. They had both been smoking marijuana, and Martin said the victim started yelling and walking toward him. Martin said he felt threatened because the victim had a large cast on his arm. Martin said he reached under his bed, obtained a firearm, cocked it, and pointed it at the victim. According to Martin, the victim said, “I’m not scared to die” and continued walking toward him. Martin said if the victim didn’t have the cast, he wouldn’t have fought him. He also reportedly said he wouldn’t have shot him if he hadn’t been high. According to the arrest report, “When asked [Martin] could not recall any instances of death being caused by a person using a cast versus persons killed or injured with firearms.”

Martin was previously found guilty of two charges that would have been felonies if committed by an adult: In January of 2018, he was placed on probation for Possession of Weapon – Possession of Destructive Device on School Property, and in August of 2019, he was placed on probation for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Without Intent to Kill.

Martin has been charged with second degree attempted murder and possession of a weapon or ammo by a delinquent who was previously found guilty of a charge that would be a felony if committed by an adult. He remains in the Alachua County Jail with bail set at $1,500,000.