NICEVILLE, Fla. — A 24-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Michael Ledford, who was found critically injured in a vehicle behind CVS in Niceville on the night of February 9, the Niceville Police Department (NPD) announced on Wednesday.
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According to the NPD, Dylan Deschaine was charged with second-degree murder on Tuesday. He remains in custody at the Okaloosa County Jail.
The NPD said it responded to multiple 911 calls on February 9 reporting a possible gunshot victim behind the CVS store on John Sims Parkway. Upon arrival, officers said they discovered Mr. Ledford inside a truck, critically injured, possibly by a sharp-edged weapon.
Despite immediate first aid and transport to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Mr. Ledford, 42, succumbed to his injuries.
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During the investigation at the crime scene behind CVS, Mr. Deschaine’s mother is said to have called the NPD, revealing her son’s potential involvement. Negotiations took place between the police and Mr. Deschaine, which ended with his eventual surrender at a nearby Cumberland Farms gas station, the NPD said.
Mr. Deschaine, who was found hiding in the gas station’s bathroom, had injuries to his hand and was taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center before being transferred to Okaloosa County Jail. He was charged at the time with battery on an officer.
Mr. Ledford, known to many as “Sushi Mike,” owned and operated My Ohana food truck and was reportedly close to opening a restaurant, Post 20. A GoFundMe has been established to help his wife and three young children.
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