Wildwood man found guilty of 2019 murder of 16 year-old juvenile
Photo graphic courtesy of SAO,5th Judicial Circuit.
Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Serving Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando Counties
On Thursday, November 9, 2023, a Sumter County jury delivered a verdict of guilty against 26 year-old Bacarri Justice Austell of Wildwood, Florida on a charge of second-degree murder with a firearm.
Austell's sentencing is anticipated to be ruled in mid-December 2023. He faces a 25-year minimum mandatory sentence, with a maximum term of life imprisonment.
The jury determined that Austell had possessed and discharged a firearm, which resulted in the death of a 16-year-old male, Chris'sean Williams. The incident took place about 6:15 pm on August 26, 2019 at Royal Park, located at 9569 County Road 235 in Wildwood, Florida, where people had gathered to play video games. Austell, then 22, fired four rounds at the victim, fatally striking him in the head. The injured youth was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida, where he died.
Austell claimed he thought the victim was a person who had threatened him on a different day. In one of the many varying statements to law enforcement officers, Austell said he shot the victim because he was in fear for his life. Despite his claim that his use of deadly force was justified, the work by Inspector Knight, Detecive Warren, Criminal Investigation Division detectives and the Forensic Team of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) proved this claim false.
"The successful verdict of this case underscores the importance of teamwork, by numerous entities, in ensuring justice is served," said William "Bill" Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. "I'd like to extend my office's sincerest appreciation to the collaborative efforts of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, Sumter County Fire Rescue, Medical Examiner's Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Thank you for aiding us in our efforts to hold offenders accountable and give a voice to crime victims."
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Donald "Sonny" McCathran, Jr. and Daniel Geraghty. The State Attorney's Office victim witness department played a crucial role in coordinating witnesses. Special acknowledgment is also extended to Sgt. Mullins of the SCSO, as well as K9 Rio, whose keen nose led to the discovery of the murder weapon.