On June 7, 2023, the body of 17-year-old African American male Lezarius Amirre Graham was discovered in a wooded area near the 2100 block of NW 43rd Street in Ocala, Florida. Authorities believe he was fatally shot the previous day during a drug-related meeting. Graham had arranged to sell marijuana to 19-year-old Leilani Ashantae Brown. Unbeknownst to him, 23-year-old Dexavion J’Neil Brown was concealed in the trunk of the vehicle Leilani was driving.
Upon Graham entering the car, Dexavion emerged and shot him twice. Graham managed to flee the vehicle but succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
Investigations revealed that Leilani had stolen the vehicle used in the incident two days prior. She informed detectives that the murder was gang-related and that there was a bounty on Graham's life. On November 15, 2023, a grand jury indicted Dexavion Brown on charges including first-degree murder with a firearm, attempted first-degree murder, and tampering with an electronic monitoring device. Leilani Brown was indicted for first-degree murder with a firearm and grand theft. At the time of their indictments, Dexavion was held in Lake County Jail on unrelated charges, while Leilani was detained in Marion County Jail for offenses including grand theft of a motor vehicle and providing false identification to law enforcement.
Graham, affectionately known as "Lee," was a student at Marion County Acceleration Academies and was anticipating the birth of his daughter. His family and community mourned his untimely death, holding a prayer vigil in his honor. His funeral services were conducted later that month.
