Judge Orders 50 Years for Man Who Shot Tourist Shielding Baby

A Miami Beach murder case closed Thursday with a 50-year prison sentence for the man who shot a tourist shielding his infant son. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Laura Stuzin imposed the term on 27-year-old Tamarius Davis, followed by 25 years of probation.

Davis was convicted in the 2021 second-degree murder of 21-year-old Dustin Wakefield. Court records show Davis approached Wakefield, his wife, and their young son as the family ate lunch on Miami Beach, then pointed a gun at the baby. Wakefield moved in front of the weapon and was shot five times.

Judge Stuzin called the matter one of the hardest cases she or any judge would consider. "I have tried my best to impose a sentence which punishes, but also allows for some hope, even though it may be small," she said before ordering Davis to stand for sentencing.

Under the judge's order, Davis will serve 50 years at Florida State Prison on the first count with a 25-year minimum mandatory term, 30 years with a 20-year minimum mandatory on the second count, and five years on the third count. All terms run at the same time. State prosecutors had sought a life sentence; the defense asked for no more than 25 years.