A suspect has entered a plea in the shooting death earlier this month of a teen in Wildwood.
Terell Shamar Lynum, 20, of Ocala, this week pleaded not guilty in Sumter County Court to charges of homicide, robbery with a firearm and possession of cannabis. He continues to be held without bond at the Sumter County Detention Center.
Lynum has been charged in the slaying of 19-year-old David Lyons Jr., a senior and football player at South Sumter High School. Lyons, who was involved in the New Covenant United Methodist Church Mentor Program in The Villages, died April 20 after he was shot near the intersection of Missouri Avenue and North Warfield Avenue in Wildwood.
Lynum and two juveniles initially claimed that Lyons was the victim of a drive-by shooting. They told police that occupants of a white Honda shot Lyons and drove away at a high rate of speed. The white Honda was subsequently the subject of a bulletin issued by the police department.
Lynum’s red Buick was seized by law enforcement. A search warrant was executed two days later and turned up two handguns and a spent nine millimeter cartridge, along with eight grams of marijuana.
The following day, Lynum consented to a second interview with detectives and his account of the white Honda began unraveling.
Lynum’s new version of the events of April 20 indicated that he and the two juveniles had set up a meeting with Lyons to obtain marijuana. Lynum picked up the other two individuals and headed for Lyons’ house.
Lynum said they intended to rob Lyons. When Lyons got into the Buick with them they showed him the handguns. Lyons attempted to punch a rear seat passenger and Lyons was shot in the armpit.
Lyons got out of the Buick and stumbled approximately 20 feet and collapsed. That is where he was discovered by police.
Lynum admitted he and the two juveniles made up the story about the white Honda. The juveniles have also been charged in Lyons’ death.
Lynum is being represented by the public defender’s office.