(Marion County, FL) On Monday morning, June 2, 2025, the trial for the murder of 19-year-old Tylique Le’John Christie reached a significant turning point when 21-year-old Luis Alexander Figueroa-Tirado pleaded guilty to Second
Degree Murder with a Firearm.
The plea came just as jury selection for Tirado’s trial was set to begin that morning. The defendant was sentenced by Judge Timothy McCourt to 40 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
In a tragic incident that occurred in the early afternoon of June 19, 2023, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies arrived at residence off of Northwest 22nd Avenue in Ocala after reports of multiple gunshots. Upon arrival, officials located multiple spent shell casings in the area, along with bullet holes in the doors and windows of neighboring homes.
Shortly afterward, officials were notified of a gunshot-wounded patient who was transported to a local hospital by two individuals. The victim, Tylique Christie, had an apparent gunshot wound to his head and would later succumb to his injuries. Both individuals who were present with the victim at the time of the incident gave witness statements to law enforcement. Shortly afterward, officials were notified of a gunshot-wounded patient who was transported to a local hospital by two individuals. The victim, Tylique Christie, had an apparent gunshot wound to his head and would later succumb to his injuries. Both individuals who were present withthe victim at the time of the incident gave witness statements to law enforcement.
Through their investigation, detectives learned that Christie had arranged to meet Tirado’s co-defendant, 17-year-old Davinci Cheesman Dawson, for a drug transaction that turned violent, where a number of masked gunmen, including Tirado, opened fire on the victim. After gathering forensic evidence from the scene, conducting a neighborhood canvass, and collecting witness statements, detectives were able to confirm both Figueroa-Tirado’s and Dawson’s involvement in the murder of Christie.
On September 18, 2023, a grand jury returned true indictments, charging both defendants with First Degree Murder. Subsequently, Figueroa Tirado and Dawson were arrested and charged.
Co-defendant Dawson pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
