Site last updated: Sunday, October 6, 2024

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Suspect pleads not guilty in killings of 3 people including journalist, 9-year-old

ORLANDO, Fla. — The man accused of killing three people and injuring two others in a spree of shootings in Pine Hills late last month has pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to court records.

Keith Moses, 19, entered the written plea Wednesday in the killings of Spectrum News 13 journalist Dylan Lyons and 9-year-old T’Yonna Major. Moses, who previously pleaded not guilty in the killing of 38-year-old Nathacha Augustin, faces three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and a charge of armed burglary.

This is the latest update in a case that shocked Central Floridians and spurred GOP officials including Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott to question the office of Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell for its handling of Moses’ past cases.

According to an arrest affidavit, Moses fatally shot Augustin on Feb. 22 shortly after he got in a car on Hialeah Street with her and another man, who offered Moses a ride. Moses, later identified by the driver, took off on foot.

Less than an hour after detectives left the scene, Moses returned and fired upon two Spectrum News 13 journalists, killing 24-year-old Lyons and injuring photojournalist Jesse Walden, court records said.

Moses then went to a nearby house and killed 9-year-old T’Yonna Major and critically wounded her mother, Brandi Major, authorities said.

He was taken into police custody within an hour, brought to a local hospital and was eventually booked in the Orange County Jail.

His initial appearance was waived by the public defender representing him because of “mental health,” a court filing read.

A judge then ordered Moses to be held without bail at the Orange County Jail, where he was still being held as of Wednesday.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear.

More in National News

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS