A Marion County man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in connection with a robbery-turned-fatal-shooting that claimed the life of a 40-year-old man in 2023.
Last week, Marion County jurors briefly deliberated before finding 48-year-old Michael Rene Montgomery, Jr. guilty of first-degree murder with a firearm. He was also convicted of fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and resisting a law enforcement officer.
Following his conviction, Montgomery was sentenced to life in prison.
Back on June 27, 2023, at around 6:35 p.m, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 7600 block of NW 77th Terrace, near W Highway 326, after receiving reports that a man’s body had been found on the side of the road, according to MCSO.
Upon arrival, deputies located the deceased male victim, identified as 40-year-old Wayne Barlow. According to MCSO, the victim had a deep laceration on the back of his head, along with multiple lacerations and abrasions on his arms, legs, and torso.
A 911 caller had reported that they were traveling home when they saw a deceased body on the side of the road. Law enforcement officers arrived on-scene and observed that the victim had a gunshot wound to the side of his head.
The victim had additional wounds, including “a black eye” and “other scrapes and bruises.” His clothing also appeared to be “ripped and torn,” which indicated that he had gotten into a physical altercation prior to being fatally shot.
While investigating the homicide, MCSO learned that the victim’s 2018 Hyundai Sonata was missing. According to the arrest report, investigators discovered that on June 27, 2023, prior to and after the victim’s body was found, the victim’s vehicle was observed traveling on several local roadways.
On June 28, 2023, the sheriff’s office was informed that the victim’s vehicle had been spotted in Marion County. Local law enforcement agencies canvassed the area and located the victim’s vehicle near the intersection of S Pine Avenue and SE 31st Street, according to the report.
A traffic stop of the victim’s vehicle was attempted, but the driver fled from law enforcement and abandoned the vehicle in a heavily wooded area. Deputies located the vehicle and searched the surrounding area for its occupants, utilizing K-9 partners on the ground and MCSO’s Air-1 unit. Less than 30 minutes later, Montgomery was found hiding in a nearby body of water.
A second individual, identified as Jessica Lynn Long, was also found hiding in a tree in the same area, according to MCSO.
Montgomery and Long were both placed under arrest and transported to MCSO headquarters for questioning. During an interview with Long, she initially denied any involvement in the victim’s murder, though she later told detectives that she was there when the victim was shot to death.
Long further “detailed a series of events that led up to the victim’s death,” and she identified Montgomery as the “killer.” When detectives confronted Montgomery with this information during his questioning, he admitted to robbing the victim and stated that the robbery “got out of hand.”
MCSO said that its investigation revealed that Long and Montgomery had both conspired to steal the victim’s vehicle. According to the sheriff’s office, Montgomery attacked the victim in the vehicle while Long drove, which led to a struggle.
During the altercation, Montgomery pulled the victim from the vehicle and “assaulted him with a pipe-like object,” according to MCSO. Witnesses told detectives that Montgomery then attempted to run over the victim with the vehicle before approaching and shooting him.
After evidence was collected at the scene, including the firearm used in the shooting, Montgomery’s DNA was found on several items that had been “used to choke and hit the victim.”
Montgomery and Long were both arrested in connection with the victim’s death.
Long ultimately agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, and she testified against Montgomery during his trial in a Marion County courtroom. Due to her cooperation, Long is set to receive a 30-year prison sentence.
This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.