Woman killed at park is Jacksonville’s 162nd homicide of 2020

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A woman in her 20s was found shot to death Monday morning at Normandy Park, according to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue. Homicide detectives, who were notified of the shooting just after 10 a.m., said the victim’s body was found between the parking lot and the athletic fields on Lindsey Road at Greek Road.

Witnesses told police a single shot was fired after an argument. A person matching the description of the gunman was detained about a mile away on Fouraker Road. A weapon and other evidence were located between where the victim was found and where the subject was taken into custody.

Detectives said a car in the parking lot was searched and will be processed. Police said there were no children in the park at the time of the shooting.

Luke McMillan, who works nearby, heard the gunshot.

“One pop and then JSO came on the place,” McMillan said. “They’ve done an outstanding job and they continue to do so.”

It was witnesses like McMillan that lead to police quickly tracking down a person of interest.

“The witnesses provided a clothing and a physical description and the general area which he fled on foot,” JSO homicide Sgt. Adam Blinn said.

Police no longer identify victims of crimes. Her uncle, Timothy Williams, identified the victim as Ta’Liyah Williams. He said she had been trying to leave an abusive relationship.

“Ta’Liyah was a beautiful soul. And she didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve this at all. She deserved better,” he said.

Tuesday morning the Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect, Deiondre Lewis, 22, as the man who was taken into custody. He has been charged with murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and carrying a concealed firearm.

Family members identified the suspect who was taken into custody, but because the Sheriff’s Office hasn’t released a name, News4Jax is not identifying that person.

Timothy Williams said his niece was a strong and smart woman, who never spoke up about the abuse.

“What I hope can happen now is people who do see this or read about this that they understand that with domestic violence that you just need to get away from that person. It doesn’t get better,” he said. “And if something happens. you need to let people know about it. People will love you, they’ll take care of you, because you never know how far things will go.”

This was the 162nd homicide in Jacksonville in 2020, according to News4Jax records, which is significant because that was the total number of homicides in the city in 2019. That had been the most in a single year since News4Jax began to keep independent records 15 years ago.

Homicides in Jacksonville per year since 2006

Homicides are all deaths caused by another person but only deaths where intent to harm is intended are considered murders. Other homicides are a result of accidents, neglect or could be in self-defense.