A Georgia man who pleaded guilty to killing a tourist in South Beach five years ago apologized to the victim’s family in a Miami-Dade courtroom Tuesday. Tamarius Davis testified during his sentencing hearing, blaming his actions on what he called an “irresponsible” decision to take psychedelic mushrooms.
Davis pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder in the August 2021 shooting of Dustin Wakefield, 21, a Colorado man who was visiting Miami Beach with his wife and 1-year-old son. Prosecutors said Davis, who was visiting from Georgia, took a large amount of mushrooms on Aug. 24, 2021, and began shooting at random people in South Beach before he fatally shot Wakefield.
“I also know there are no words I can address to the Wakefield family that will ever begin to truly express how deeply sorry I am,” Davis told the court.
Davis’s parents and sister also spoke. His mother, Deangela Davis, said her son “did a monstrous thing, but he’s not a monster.” His father, Tommy Davis, said his son would not have killed “just for recreation.”
Wakefield’s family gave impact statements Monday, the first day of the hearing. His mother, Lora Wakefield, said the crime “shattered an entire family.” The family is asking the judge to sentence Davis to life in prison. The hearing resumes Wednesday.
