A 23-year-old man and 19-year-old woman have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenager in northwest Ocala.
On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, a grand jury indicted Dexavion J’Neil Brown for murder in the first degree with a firearm, attempted first-degree murder, and tampering with an electronic monitoring device.
The grand jury also indicted Leilani Ashantae Brown for murder in the first degree with a firearm and grand theft.
On June 7, 2023, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 2100 block of NW 43rd Street in Ocala after a citizen located a deceased individual near the woods. When deputies arrived, they discovered a deceased 17-year-old male, identified as Lezarius Graham, who had been shot, according to MCSO.
A detective investigated the fatal shooting and learned that the victim had met with Leilani to sell marijuana to her. MCSO stated that Leilani did not show up to the meeting alone – Dexavion was hiding in the trunk of the vehicle that Leilani was driving.
The investigation further revealed that the victim entered the vehicle, and Dexavion allegedly “folded down the back seat” and “shot (the victim) twice.” After being shot, the victim fled from the vehicle, according to MCSO.
The sheriff’s office stated that during an interview, Leilani told the detective that the victim’s murder was “gang-related.” She also claimed that Dexavion had informed her that there was “money on (the victim’s) name.”
According to MCSO, it was determined that the vehicle Leilani was driving at the time of the fatal shooting – a burgundy Toyota Corolla with black spray paint markings on it – had allegedly been stolen by Leilani on June 5, 2023, while she was attending a party in Ocala.
Leilani has been at Marion County Jail since August 3, 2023, for grand theft of a motor vehicle, battery, and providing false identification to a law enforcement officer. She now faces an additional charge for murder in the first degree with a firearm, and she is currently being held at the jail without bond.
Dexavion has been at Lake County Jail since his arrest on September 11, 2023, for unrelated charges of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm (two counts) and robbery with a firearm (two counts). According to MCSO, Dexavion is currently being held at Lake County Jail without bond, and he will be served with the indictment when he is transported to Marion County Jail.