'It was not a random act': Two killed, including 3-year-old, in North Lakeland shooting

Two people were killed, including a 3-year-old boy, and one injured in a shooting Monday evening in Lakeland. Police are searching for one unidentified shooter who remains at large.

Lakeland police responded the the area of Cambridge Circle Cove, at an apartment complex off Mall Hill Road near Kathleen Road, about 6:34 p.m. Monday for reports of a shooting. Officers arrived within two minutes to find two people struck by gunfire.

Officers found Jaquez Norton, 3, shot dead in his car seat inside a 2023 Toyota RAV4, according to Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor.

Norton's mother, 21-year-old Yeimarie Baez, was with her two children and 23-year-old Robert Einzig, sitting in the SUV on Cambridge Cove on Monday night. They were in the neighborhood visiting friends and getting ready to leave, Taylor said.

A white 2014 Dodge Challenger was driven up the street and parked in a way to block in the RAV4, with Baez in the driver's seat.

"We feel that they knew each other and it was not a random act," Taylor said.

Kemarius Wilson, 22, got out of the passenger seat of the Challenger armed with a 9mm handgun, approaching the driver's side of the SUV, Taylor said. Wilson and Baez knew each other, Taylor said, but the exact nature of their relationship is unclear.

Then an unidentified Hispanic man got out of the driver's seat of the Challenger and approached the passenger side of the SUV while armed with a rifle.

Words were exchanged between the individuals involved before a shooting broke out, Taylor said. The chief said "there was some indication" that Baez screamed "My kids are in the car, my kids are in the car" as Wilson and the second man approached the SUV with guns drawn.

"Whether Kemarius [Wilson] and this other unknown individual heard them, we don't know that," he said. "

The unidentified man stuck the rifle in the passenger side window, Taylor said, and there was a struggle over control the gun. The chief said he thinks it was during this struggle the rifle went off, the bullet going into Einzig's hip.

Baez grabbed her 3-month-old daughter from the middle of the back seat and fled from the shooting, Taylor said. Baez and the infant were not injured in the shooting.

Einzig, who was armed with both a handgun and a rifle, fired back at Wilson and the second man resulting in an "ongoing gun battle," Taylor said.

Police have recovered 19 .223-caliber bullet casings and nine 9mm casings from the scene.

Einzig was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Police received tips that the white Dodge Challenger was seen leaving the area of the shooting heading south on Kathleen Road.

Wilson received assistance from a relative who lives on the 800 block of West 14th Street. He was dropped off at LRH's Emergency Department by a personal vehicle around 7 p.m. Monday and later died of his injuries.

A Lakeland police officer on patrol noticed a suspicious vehicle under black tarps parked between two houses in the 800 block of West Crawford Street. Upon investigation, it was determined to be the 2014 white Dodge Challenger. The homeowner told officers he did not know the driver of the vehicle, Taylor said.

Lakeland police are looking for anyone who may be able to identify the driver of the Challenger, which Taylor said is registered to a Plant City address. When officers went to the house Tuesday morning, the vehicle's owner was not home.

Lakeland Police Department has had about 25 detective, crime scene personnel and others working throughout the night, Taylor said. There have been nine search warrants served, multiple cell phones seized for processing and both vehicles involved are in police custody for processing.

Detectives are in the process of finding and obtaining any video recordings at the various locations involved as potential evidence, Taylor said.

The two guns used by Kemarius Wilson and the second unidentified man have not been found. The two firearms used by Einzig were legally in his possession, according to Taylor, and he is not facing any charges at this time.

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Taylor said those involved in the shooting have been "cooperative, I don't know they are cooperating." He said his detectives are having to "work harder than you think."

Baez was shown a photo lineup of several men, Taylor said, and was unable to pick out the driver of the Challenger.

Anyone who might be able to identify the driver of the Challenger and knows their location is asked to contact Lakeland Det. Cory Lawson at 863-802-8975. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling 800-226-TIPS (800-226-8477) or online at www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. Anonymous tips can be texted using the free "P3tips" app. There is a $5,000 reward for information that identifies the driver and leads to his arrest.

Taylor said he has reason to believe the individual may have been injured.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7545. Follow on X @SaraWalshFl.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Two killed, including 3-year-old child, in North Lakeland shooting