CO Man Dies Protecting His Baby In Miami: Fundraiser Launched

CASTLE ROCK, CO — A fundraiser has been launched for the family of a 21-year-old man who was shot to death in Miami Beach while he protected his baby, police and family members said.

Dustin Wakefield, 21, of Castle Rock, was with his family eating dinner at a restaurant Tuesday when he was killed by a gunman, police said.

As of Friday afternoon, more than $245,000 had been raised in a GoFundMe campaign for Wakefield's family.

Tamarius Blair Davis, 22, of Georgia, told investigators he fired the shots because he “was high on mushrooms, which made him feel empowered,” according to his arrest report.

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Davis approached the patio area of the La Cerveceria restaurant just before 6:30 p.m. and randomly decided to shoot Wakefield, police said. In a short video taken immediately after the shooting and obtained by WSVN-TV, the gunman can be seen dancing while people are heard screaming. The gunman then walks up some steps, the weapon in his hand.

Mike Wakefield, the victim’s uncle, told the Miami Herald that Dustin Wakefield died protecting his young son.

“This guy came in with a gun waving it, saying it’s time to die. He pointed the gun at his son and Dustin said, ‘He’s only a boy,’” said Mike Wakefield, who was not in South Beach but heard the account from his family. “Dustin stood up between the gunman and the baby and he shot him. He shot him multiple times on the ground.”

He said of his nephew, who worked in construction, “He was the kindest kid. He loved his family. He loved being a dad.”

Davis fled the restaurant, police said, and was captured in a nearby alley.

Cellphone video obtained by the Herald shows Davis lying spread-eagle on his back and smiling as three officers approach with their guns pointed towards him yelling commands, warning him that if he touches his gun he will be shot.

Davis then rolled onto his side into a fetal position, before again rolling onto his back as officers approached. Davis screamed “I give, I give, I give” as officers flip him onto his stomach and handcuff him. The video shows a black handgun lying about 10 feet (three meters) away.

Davis' father told The Associated Press that his son had traveled to Miami Beach with some friends. He said his son has never been in trouble or had mental health issues. No arrest record for his son could be found.

“This is an unlikely thing,” the senior Tommy Davis said. 'We are trying to find out what happened. You can imagine we were shocked."

He said he didn't know whether his son would ingest mushrooms or other drugs.

“You think you know your kid, but you don't," he said. “It is possible someone gave him something. That is something we need to find out.”

Davis is charged with murder and was being held without bond Wednesday at the Miami-Dade County Jail.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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