Dalterius Shorter, an 18-year-old from Tallahassee, Florida, lost his life to gun violence on August 22, 2023. The incident occurred in the 1100 block of Dade Street in Northwest Tallahassee, near the Lawrence-Gregory Community Center.
The events leading to Shorter's death involved an attempted robbery during an arranged firearms transaction. Shorter and another individual, Zyion Kilpatrick, attempted to rob two men.
This encounter escalated into a physical altercation, followed by an exchange of gunfire. During this exchange, an adult male victim was struck and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Shorter also sustained life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital.
The investigation, conducted by the Tallahassee Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit, collected physical evidence and witness statements that helped identify Kilpatrick as a suspect. On October 6, 2023, Kilpatrick was located by TPD’s Career Criminal Unit and was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. At the time of his arrest, Kilpatrick was in possession of a firearm.
Kilpatrick was subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder, second-degree felony murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted felony murder, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a delinquent, and resisting arrest without violence. The arrest marked a significant step in the police's efforts to bring justice to the victims and their families.
Dalterius Shorter's death was mourned by his community, with services held in his honor. His passing is remembered as a tragic loss due to gun violence in Tallahassee.
