Ocala police seek leads in two homicides

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano, center, in black shirt and pants, prays at a vigil on July 3 with family members and friends of Derrick Brown Jr., who died in a shooting on June 23 in Ocala. The vigil, held at Immerse Church, was sponsored by War Cry 4 Peace, a local organization that supports the families of victims of gun violence. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]

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Posted July 5, 2024 | By Andy Fillmore, [email protected]

The Ocala Police Department is investigating two shooting homicides that occurred within five days of each other in June. No new information or arrests have been announced but the reward for information leading to an arrest in either homicide now stands at $5,000.

Derrick Brown Jr., 24, died as the result of a shooting on June 23 in the 2800 block of Northeast 8th Terrace.

Brown grew up in Ocala and graduated from Vanguard High School in 2019 and then attended Tallahassee Community College before he returned to Ocala. He was most recently preparing to enter the trucking business, said his aunt, Rashunda Robinson, the sister of Brown’s mother, Tamara Gunsby.

Robinson said Brown, known to the family as “DJ,” was “a ray of sunshine, always smiling. He was quiet and respectful, saying ‘Yes, sir and Yes ma’am.’ He liked basketball and video games. He was a great kid.”

Robinson said her sister is “relying upon her faith in the Lord” to get through the tragedy.

“We’re hurting, but we are a family of faith and we’re putting this in God’s hands. Enough is enough and no parent should have to bury their child because of senseless gun violence,” she said.

On June 29, OPD officers responded to a shooting in the 1500 block of Northwest 20th Avenue at 10:38 p.m. and found Faye Porter, 31, the mother of six children, deceased.

Porter’s mother-in-law, Vonsheila Floyd of Ocala, said she was “shocked” when she was informed of her daughter-in-law’s death and called it “unbelievable.” Floyd said Porter was married to her son, Antonio Porter Sr.

Floyd said Faye Porter was born in Clearwater but lived in Ocala “most of her life.” Porter has five children, ages 10, 5, 3, and twins age 6, who live with Floyd, and another child in Clearwater, Floyd explained.

Floyd said Porter was a “sweet, kindhearted” person who working out some difficulties and was close to regaining custody of her children living here.

A vigil was held for Brown on July 3 at Immerse Church on north U.S. Highway 441 in Ocala. The gathering of family, friends and members of the community included sharing memories of Brown and prayer. The vigil was organized by War Cry 4 Peace, a local anti-gun violence group that provides support for families of victims.

Kim Wilkerson, executive director of War Cry 4 Peace, told the gathering that the organization “loves the families who have been impacted by gun violence” and we “get together in love.”

“(The victims’ families) need support …and friends,” she said.

Wilkerson said when she visited Brown’s family, his mother, even in her grief, said her son’s death was not in vain and was bringing people to Jesus. Gunsby, who was seated in the front of the gathering, was consoled by many as she cried.

Family and friends described Brown as a beautiful, funny person and a wonderful and respectful young man. Three of Brown’s friends tearfully shared memories of him, including one who said later in the vigil that Brown always had his back.

Pastor and speaker Darrel Tolbert said he has “lost count” of how many vigils for gun violence victims he has attended after a young person has lost their life. Tolbert called for unity in the Black community and decried gun violence.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano prayed, surrounded by members of the gathering, and two Ocala Police Department officers were on hand to support the family.

“So much hurt. My thoughts and prayers are with the families (of gun violence victims),” Marciano said.

Anyone with information about either case is asked to call OPD at (352) 369-7000 or Crime Stoppers of Marion County anonymously at (352) 368-STOP (7867) or **Tips, or via ocalacrimestoppers.com