“Man Arrested in Connection with Burger King Shooting Death; Victim Identified as Jose Valliant”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Ocala Man Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting Outside Burger King

Ocala police have apprehended a man in relation to last month’s tragic shooting death that occurred outside the Burger King on East Silver Springs Boulevard. David Smith III, a 21-year-old resident of Ocala, has been charged with third-degree murder in the killing of 28-year-old Jose Valliant from Belleview. Law enforcement officials stated that physical evidence and witness testimonies placing Smith at the scene led to his arrest.

However, while it is known that Smith was present at the location, authorities are still working to determine if he was the individual who pulled the trigger. Smith made his first court appearance on Saturday morning at the Marion County Jail.

During the hearing, which was conducted via Zoom, Smith donned a red-and-white jail uniform and flip flops, being handcuffed at the time. He informed the judge of his intention to hire a lawyer. County Judge Tommy Thompson presided over the hearing, asserting that he believes Smith was involved in the homicide based on the signed arrest warrant. Due to concerns of flight risk, the judge deemed any bail amount insufficient.

The next court hearing for Smith has been scheduled for January 23, 2024, at 9 a.m. As for the shooting incident, Ocala police report that on November 3, Valliant met with an individual at the Burger King parking lot located at 2301 E. Silver Springs Blvd. An altercation ensued, resulting in Valliant being shot. He was immediately transported to Maricamp ER, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Detective Mike Diesso, who investigated the shooting, discovered that the altercation was allegedly linked to a drug deal gone wrong between Smith and Valliant. This detail had not been previously disclosed. The supposed drug deal took place in the parking lot of the fast food restaurant.

Following the shooting, Kevin Latrell Coleman, 29, who was present with Valliant, drove him to the emergency room. Coleman dropped off Valliant at the medical facility before leaving the scene. Authorities have clarified that Coleman and Valliant were not acquainted.

Earlier arrests were made in connection with the case. Coleman drove the vehicle to a residence in Silver Springs Shores, where he and Tulana Joshua, a 33-year-old woman, are accused of destroying evidence from the vehicle. Joshua allegedly burned items such as clothing, while Coleman wiped down the vehicle. Both Coleman and Joshua, residents of Silver Springs Shores, have been arrested and face tampering charges. Coleman, being a convicted felon, also faces additional charges according to court records. He is currently held without bail, and his next court hearing is scheduled for early 2024.

In regards to Joshua, she is currently incarcerated with bail set at $5,000, and her hearing is scheduled for early 2024. Smith, the latest arrestee, has been in the county jail since November 29 on unrelated charges, including drug trafficking, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and failure to appear on multiple charges. Detective Diesso served the arrest warrant to Smith at the jail, but the defendant opted not to speak to the detective.

For further information, please contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com..