Judge Dismisses Murder Charges Based on Stand Your Ground Defense

After an October 30, 2024, hearing before Circuit Judge Stephen Everett, on November 22, 2024, the Court issued a written order dismissing murder charges related to a 2022 incident. The decision to dismiss the charges was based on a stand your ground defense.

Provided below is a detailed narrative from the Office of the State Attorney, Second Judicial Circuit of Florida:

On January 7, 2022, at approximately 2:21 AM, officers with the Tallahassee Police Department responded to Good Vibes Only, a nightclub located on Railroad Avenue and Gaines Street. Upon arrival, officers located a man lying in the parking lot, later identified as Antonio Meyers, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Mr. Meyers was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Leon County Emergency Medical Services.

Upon speaking with witnesses, law enforcement developed two suspects, Jordan Brown and Dequan Blount, who had fled the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Brown and Blount were later found in their vehicles near the Potbelly’s bar on College Avenue, not far from the scene of the shooting. Brown and Blount had flagged down law enforcement in the area, as they too were suffering from gunshot wounds.

A canvas of the neighborhood revealed that the shooting had been caught on camera. This camera came from an apartment complex across the street from the nightclub’s parking lot.

Video of the shooting shows defendant Blount approaching the area where Mr. Meyers was, along with friends of his. Witnesses present at the time describe Blount and Meyers as having a verbal altercation. As can be seen on the video, Mr. Meyers runs towards Blount and pushes him to the ground. After Blount is on the ground, Meyers can be seen raising a leg over Dequan Blount. Nearly simultaneously, there is a flash of gunfire coming from the area of where Blount’s friend, Jordan Brown, is standing. Blount and Brown proceed to fire multiple rounds at Mr. Meyers.

Testimony of witnesses and shell casings found at the scene indicate that there was an unidentified third shooter in the parking lot. Based on the video and witness testimony, it is likely this unidentified shooter was friends with the deceased, as shots were fired towards defendants Blount and Brown.

After an investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department, Dequan Blount and Jordan Brown were arrested for the murder of Antonio Meyers. In 2024, the defendants’ attorneys filed a Motion to Dismiss based on Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. The Defendants argued that their use of deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm upon themselves.

A hearing was held on October 30, 2024, in front of Circuit Judge Stephen Everett in the Leon County Courthouse. On November 22, 2024, the Court issued a written order granting the Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, finding that the Defendants were lawfully standing their ground when they shot Mr. Meyers.