Deondre McCoy, an 18-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on March 4, 2014, in Riviera Beach, Florida. McCoy was fatally shot alongside Murat Oziros, a 54-year-old Haitian American male, as they were closing up the Florida Sunshine Tires and Auto Center on Avenue E. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. when a gun-wielding assailant approached them and opened fire. Both victims were rushed to St.
Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where they succumbed to their injuries.
The investigation into the murders of Deondre McCoy and Murat Oziros remained unsolved for nearly a decade. However, significant progress was made when the Riviera Beach police's cold case unit, established in November 2022, reopened the case. Through DNA testing and weapons analysis, investigators were able to link two men, Jeffrey Brown and Lavon Heath, to the crime. Both suspects were already in custody on unrelated charges when they were indicted on March 28, 2024, for first-degree murder, armed robbery, and being felons in possession of firearms.
The arrests of Brown and Heath brought a sense of relief to the families of the victims. Cynthia Oziros, Murat's wife, expressed her gratitude to the investigators for their relentless efforts in solving the case. The police chief of Riviera Beach, Michael Coleman, emphasized the importance of the cold case unit in bringing justice to the families affected by such tragedies. The suspects were accused of robbing the victims and stealing personal belongings, including a gold necklace from Oziros.
The resolution of this case highlights the dedication of law enforcement in pursuing justice, no matter how much time has passed. The families of Deondre McCoy and Murat Oziros can now find some solace in knowing that those responsible for their loved ones' deaths have been apprehended and will face the consequences of their actions.
