Crime
A South Beach tourist was shot to death. Suspect told police he was ‘high on mushrooms’
A 22-year-old man who shot and killed a Colorado tourist inside a South Beach restaurant says he was “high on mushrooms which made him feel empowered,” according to an arrest report.
Miami Beach police have arrested Tamarius David, of Norcross, Georgia, who was charged with second-degree murder with a weapon and attempted murder.
The shooting happened Tuesday evening at La Cerveceria, in the 1400 block of Ocean Drive. Killed was 21-year-old Dustin Wakefield, who was dining with his family in the outdoor patio area at the restaurant. David told police he “randomly chose” to shoot Wakefield, and attack another man minutes earlier on the street.
David was arrested in an alleyway next door. In a video obtained by the Miami Herald, he can be heard yelling: “I did it. I did it.”
The video shows three police officers approaching David as he lay on the ground in an alley beside the restaurant. He partially obeys police commands and puts his hands outward, then is forced onto his back and handcuffed by police who say they have the shooter over the radio.
Wakefield’s uncle told the Herald that Dustin Wakefield was vacationing with his family, wife and 1-year-old 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.”
Video posted by WSVN FOX-7 showed the man believed to be David dancing, while holding the weapon, outside the Ocean Drive restaurant.
Dustin Wakefield worked in the construction industry and loved music and hunting, his uncle said.
“He was the kindest kid. He loved his family. He loved being a dad,” he said.
David is also charged with attempted murder for shooting at — and missing — another man on 14th Street moments earlier.
According to the arrest report, a Miami Beach park ranger, Lorenzo Trench, heard the shots and saw David chasing the man. Trench told police he saw David appearing to fire toward the ground, police said.
At the same time, according to David’s arrest report, calls were coming in to the police station about an active shooter. Officers found Wakefield, who was mortally wounded, and soon arrested David, who waived his right to remain silent and admitted he chose his two victims “randomly,” the report said.
David was jailed early Wednesday and is being held with no bond.
Reached by phone on Wednesday, his father said his son’s last name is actually Davis, contrary to the police report. His father said his son had been visiting South Beach with some friends, and worked in Georgia as a UPS driver.
“We’re shocked,” his father said.
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