Jaquez "JD" Norton
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CANDID ID: FL_24_2068
AGE
3   years
STATE
Florida
DATE OF DEATH
3/11/2024
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On March 11, 2024, three-year-old Jaquez "JD" Norton was fatally shot while sitting in the backseat of his family's Toyota RAV 4 at the Cambridge Cove apartment complex in Lakeland, Florida. The family had been visiting a friend when a white Dodge Challenger blocked their vehicle, and armed suspects approached from both sides. JD's mother was pulled from the car at gunpoint, and despite her yelling that children were in the vehicle, the suspects opened fire with a handgun and rifle. The mother's paramour, Robert Einzig, who was in the passenger seat, returned fire with a 9mm handgun. During the exchange of gunfire, JD was struck by four bullets and was pronounced deceased on scene at 6:45 p.m. Einzig suffered non-fatal gunshot injuries, and one of the suspects, Kemarius Wilson, was also fatally shot. Kevarius Green was later arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder for killing both JD and his own accomplice.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

The fatality report describes the child being struck by four bullets during a shooting. It states: "The suspects used a handgun and a rifle to fire into the mother and paramour's vehicle. The paramour had a 9mm handgun in his possession and fired back at the suspects." The Fox 13 article confirms "JD was sitting in the backseat of a car when he was caught in the crossfire." The WFLA article states: "Police allege Green shot the rifle that killed both Norton."

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The fatality report states that "The 3-year-old in the back seat of the vehicle was struck by four bullets." The child was shot during a gang-related shooting. The WFLA article confirms that "Police allege Green shot the rifle that killed both Norton." These are inflicted gunshot injuries.

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

The fatality report identifies Robert Einzig (23 years old) as the "Mother's Paramour" and describes the incident as a "gang related shooting." The report states "The paramour had a 9mm handgun in his possession and fired back at the suspects." The Fox 13 article quotes the police chief saying "It wasn't just a random act. They were interested in that vehicle and the people inside that vehicle." While the fatal shots came from the suspect's rifle (per WFLA: "Police allege Green shot the rifle that killed both Norton"), the paramour's involvement in what was described as gang-related activity, his possession of a firearm, and the targeted nature of the attack imply his role in the circumstances that led to the child's death.

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The WFLA article states: "Kevarius Green, 30, is being held on two counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder." It further reports: "Police said Green went with his attorney to turn himself in to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday." Green was charged with killing the child and his own accomplice.

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

Several notable details emerge across the sources. The fatality report characterizes the incident as a "gang related shooting," though the WFLA article notes "There is no known motive for the shooting, though some people in the two groups are said to have known each other." The suspect Kevarius Green was charged with two counts of first degree murder — for killing both the 3-year-old child and his own accomplice Kemarius Wilson with the same rifle. The WFLA article states: "Police allege Green shot the rifle that killed both Norton... and Green's alleged accomplice Kemarius Wilson, who was outside the vehicle." Additionally, the Fox 13 article quotes the police chief: "It wasn't just a random act. They were interested in that vehicle and the people inside that vehicle." A second suspect, Demarius Wilson (twin brother of the deceased accomplice), remained at large. The mother's paramour, Robert Einzig, was armed with a 9mm handgun and returned fire during the attack, raising questions about the circumstances that led the family to be targeted while two young children were present.

Lives Cut Short