Juston La Donte Donson, a 22-year-old African American male from Pensacola, Florida, tragically lost his life on June 25, 2017. The circumstances surrounding his death were both complex and deeply troubling. Juston Donson was killed by a gunshot wound to the head in what authorities described as a case of "friendly fire" during a gang-related shooting.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on Rawson Lane, where Donson and four associates had driven to retaliate against an individual residing at the address. The group, which included Trevon Demarcus Lewis, 16; Dywane William Woodrow, 20; Tre'Shaun Rydell Ulmer, 19; and Demetric Jamartia Milhouse, 23, allegedly shot into the residence, leading to the fatal shooting of Donson by one of his own associates.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was retaliatory and drug-related, stemming from a prior altercation between one of the suspects and the intended victim inside the house. Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan confirmed that Donson was part of the group that initiated the attack, which ultimately led to his death. The shooting was reported to authorities after neighbors found Donson still alive outside the house, but he was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to a local hospital.
In the aftermath of the incident, all four of Donson's associates were arrested and charged with principal to murder, as the death occurred during the commission of a felony. Demetric Milhouse, one of the suspects, later pleaded no contest to third-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Another associate, William Woodrow, also pleaded no contest to accessory after the fact to murder and faced sentencing later that year. The other two suspects, Trevon Demarcus Lewis and Tre'Shaun Rydell Ulmer, had their trials scheduled for the following months.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of gang violence and the ripple effects it can have on communities. Juston Donson's death serves as a somber reminder of the dangers associated with such activities and the importance of addressing the root causes of gang-related violence to prevent further loss of life.
