ORLANDO, Fla. — The families of two of the victims in last week’s shooting in Pine Hills criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott for their responses to the killings, adding that neither had reached out to offer condolences a week after the tragedy.
Attorney Mark NeJame, who represents the families of Spectrum News 13 reporter Dylan Lyons and 9-year-old T’Yonna Major, read a statement to reporters Thursday blasting both Republicans after they sent letters criticizing Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell for not prosecuting Keith Moses, the alleged killer, for misdemeanor marijuana possession in November 2021.
Even if he had been convicted and served the maximum one-year jail sentence, he would have been out of jail “months before the murders happened,” NeJame argued. Worrell told the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday that the chances Moses would have received that sentence were “slim to none.”
NeJame, on behalf of the families, called on legislators to pass stricter gun laws. As of Thursday, 3,043 people were killed in gun homicides throughout the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive.
It’s not clear how Moses obtained the weapon used in the shootings.
“Both families are strong and resolute in their conviction not to allow their children to die in vain or for them to be used as political pawns by DeSantis and Scott when the true issue of sane and responsible gun laws is being deflected and avoided by these gun-loving politicians,” NeJame added.
Moses, 19, is in the Orange County Jail facing murder charges in the killings of Lyons, T’Yonna and 38-year-old Nathacha Augustin, as well as the shootings of News 13 videographer Jesse Walden and Brandi Major, T’Yonna’s mother. DeSantis’ letter, which falsely said Major was killed in the shootings, accused Worrell’s office of failing “to properly administer justice” while demanding information on Moses’ prior arrests.
Parents of Lyons and T’Yonna joined NeJame at the press conference Thursday, after bonding over their grief for nearly three hours. Both families entered the conference room and held each other in tears as NeJame spoke to reporters.
A vigil involving both families is expected to be held sometime next week, though details have not been announced.
Gary Lyons, Dylan’s father, described his son as a consummate professional who was looking forward to marrying his girlfriend, Casey Fite, who also attended. He and the others expressed gratitude to Worrell, Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Mayor Jerry Demings for their support, but said they were disappointed in DeSantis’ and Scott’s comments.
“As parents themselves, I was shocked they couldn’t take 30 seconds out of their time to just call and say, ‘I’m sorry,’” Gary Lyons said. Spokespeople for the governor and senator didn’t immediately respond to questions seeking comment.
“When Dylan was killed, I died too,” said Beth Lyons, Dylan’s mother. “As a mother, he was supposed to bury me.”
T’Yonna’s parents remembered their daughter as a loving child. Brandi Major called her “the best little girl.” She was also described as a talented gymnast, who teachers compared to Gabby Douglas, an Olympic gold medalist.
“My soul is gone,” Tokiyo Major, her father, said. “She was my gymnast, and I was her No. 1 fan.”
“Until we meet again, Yaya. Daddy loves you.”
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