Alicia Lee Fussell, aged 43, tragically lost her life on July 19, 2016, in Tampa, Florida. She was shot to death around 10:16 p.m. outside City Liquors bar on Nebraska Avenue. The incident occurred as she was either arriving at or leaving the bar. Witnesses reported that Fussell was approached by a gunman who shot her outside the bar. The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 6 to 6'2" tall, with a stocky build and short black hair, last seen wearing a grey Polo-style shirt and
blue jeans. The shooting did not appear to be random, and the gunman remained at large immediately following the incident.
The investigation into Fussell's death revealed that she was set to testify against Antwoine Noland, who had previously been accused of shooting her in the foot in January of the same year. Fussell's murder occurred just days before she was scheduled to testify in court. Noland was named a person of interest in her murder, and Fussell's husband expressed his belief that Noland was responsible for her death. The motive appeared to be retaliation for her planned testimony against him.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Noland faced multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He had a history of arrests and was wanted for failing to appear in court for a different case. The investigation into Fussell's murder continued, with authorities working to gather all necessary evidence, including ballistic reports, toxicology reports, and autopsy reports, to build a solid case against Noland. The Florida State Attorney's Office was involved in the case, and there were discussions about bringing murder charges against Noland once the investigation was complete.
The case also involved a missing teenager, Bryana Lemaire, who was last seen with Noland two days before Fussell's murder. Authorities were concerned for Lemaire's safety due to her association with Noland, who was considered dangerous. The investigation into Fussell's murder and the search for Lemaire were ongoing, with law enforcement agencies working diligently to resolve both cases and bring justice to Fussell's family.
