Joshua Wadlington, a 27-year-old resident of Palm Bay, Florida, tragically lost his life on April 21, 2017. The incident occurred in the northeast corner of Palm Bay, where Wadlington and another man, Michael Jared Landon, were fatally shot. The suspect, Derrick Jamal Flowers, was described as being in a rage when he fired the shots. Flowers fled the scene in a black Chevrolet Tahoe and was apprehended by authorities in Polk County after a brief manhunt.
During his escape, Flowers had a frightening encounter with a good Samaritan who tried to help him when his car ran out of gas. Flowers was eventually arrested without incident at a Family Dollar store in Frostproof, Florida.
The investigation revealed that Flowers had a history of criminal activity, including a previous conviction for false imprisonment in Duval County. He was released from prison in March 2016 after serving two years for that crime. Following the double homicide, Flowers faced multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and attempted murder. Additionally, he was charged with burglary of a conveyance with battery and possession of various drugs found in his pockets at the time of his arrest.
A Brevard County grand jury indicted Flowers on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder for the deaths of Wadlington and Landon. The grand jury also indicted him on one count of aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Despite the extensive investigation, the motive behind the deadly incident remained unclear. The case drew significant attention from the community, with many people gathering at the crime scene as officers collected evidence. Both victims were remembered fondly by their families and friends, who mourned their untimely deaths and sought justice for their loved ones.
