David Lemon, Jr., 26, of Crystal River, charged with premeditated murder
On Feb. 20, 2020, when CCSO deputies arrived at Copeland Park due to the report of a shooting that had just occurred, a witness had just transpored victim Hopkins to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased by the attending physicians.
Detectives Laborda and Ramos with the CCSO Major Crimes Unit began an investigation into the fatal shooting, and David Lemon, Jr. was identified as a person of interest. Initially, investigators obtained evidence for probable cause for Lemon's arrest on a charge of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and a warrant for obtained for his arrest. When law enforcement officials attempted to locate Lemon, they learned he'd already fled the area.
As the investigation into the homicide of Tyler Hopkins continued, so did the search for David Lemon, Jr., and on Oct. 15, 2020, Lemon was located and arrested on the warrant for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon by members of the CCSO Tactical Impact Unit and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Nearly four months later on Feb. 2, 2021, Lemon was released from the Citrus County Detention Facility on a $50,000 bond. However, his freedom was short-lived, and only two days later, on Feb. 4, an arrest warrant was issued for Lemon for the murder of Tyler Hopkins, and he was taken into custody at a Citrus Springs residence.
"This violent crime has affected not only the victim's family, but our entire community, robbing both of their sense of safety and security," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Lemon's actions resulted in the death of a young man and proved he is a danger to society. I hope his arrest helps to provide a sense of closure and justice for the victim's family. Citrus County is certainly a safer place today thanks to the detectives' diligent work to keep Lemon behind bars."