Rhea Shontee Moore, a 29-year-old resident of Wildwood, Florida, tragically lost her life on October 17, 2015. On that fateful evening, Moore was attending a social gathering under a canopy on County Road 235 in Wildwood, where she was playing cards and dominoes with friends. Suddenly, a man emerged from a nearby wooded area and began firing shots towards the group. Moore was struck by the gunfire and was quickly transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
The investigation into Moore's death led to significant developments over the following years. In 2017, authorities charged Joshua Lusby, a 29-year-old man from Fruitland Park, with Moore's murder. Lusby was already incarcerated on unrelated charges, including gun and drug offenses, at the time of his arrest for Moore's murder. According to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, Lusby was accused of being the shooter who emerged from the woods and opened fire on the group. Additionally, Daquavia Shatae Furlow-Goodman, 23, also from Fruitland Park, was charged with being an accessory after the fact. Furlow-Goodman was accused of helping Lusby conceal evidence related to the shooting.
The case against Lusby and Furlow-Goodman highlighted the complexities and challenges of solving violent crimes. Lusby's prior criminal activities, including a gunfight in Leesburg that resulted in a vehicle crash, added layers to the investigation. Despite these challenges, law enforcement officials were able to piece together enough evidence to bring charges against both men. Lusby was expected to be transferred to the Sumter County Jail to face the murder charges, while Furlow-Goodman was held in the Lake County Jail.
The community of Wildwood was deeply affected by Moore's untimely death. Friends and family remembered her as a kind and well-liked individual who had no known enemies. The senseless act of violence that claimed her life left many in shock and mourning. As the legal proceedings continued, the hope for justice for Rhea Shontee Moore remained a central focus for her loved ones and the broader community.
