William Everett Jr., a 22-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on June 6, 2021, in Kendall, Florida. The incident occurred outside a hookah lounge during a graduation celebration. Everett, along with his 18-year-old cousin and another individual, was shot and killed in what authorities described as a mass shooting. The shooting left three people dead and five others injured.
Everett was a father to a young son and was affectionately known by his family and friends as "Pooh."
The investigation into the shooting revealed that a group of people had gathered outside the hookah lounge when the suspects drove up and opened fire. The suspects then fled the scene, leading to a chaotic and tragic outcome. Among the victims was Tyleisha Taylor, an officer with the Florida Department of Corrections. Everett and his cousin were found dead inside a car that had crashed into a wall at Miami-Dade College.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officials made several arrests. James Albert Johnson III, a 22-year-old male, was re-arrested on charges of first-degree murder and four counts of attempted premeditated murder. Johnson had previously been arrested on drug charges related to the case. Additionally, four other men were arrested in connection with the shooting: Willie Lee Thomas III, Melchelzadek Jacory Matthews, Jeremy Emmanuel Devine, and Aaron Joseph Clermont. These individuals faced various charges, including possession of a short-barrel shotgun or machine gun, possession of a controlled substance while armed, and possession of stolen credit and debit cards.
The legal proceedings for the suspects have been ongoing. In July 2023, an Arthur hearing began for Devine, Thomas, and Matthews, who were all facing charges of second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree. The suspects were being held without bond, and their defense attorneys argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove their clients were the shooters. The State Attorney's Office, however, sought to keep them in jail until their trial.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and the investigation is still ongoing. The tragic loss of William Everett Jr. has left his family and community grieving, as they continue to seek justice for the senseless act of violence that claimed his life.
