MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The man accused of fatally shooting 19-year-old Tylique Le’John Christie during a 2023 drug-related incident has pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder with a Firearm.

Luis Alexander Figueroa-Tirado, 21, entered the plea Monday, June 2, 2025, just before jury selection was set to begin for his trial. Judge Timothy McCourt sentenced him to 40 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

The charges stem from a June 19, 2023, shooting in northwest Ocala. Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) responded to reports of gunfire near NW 22nd Avenue and found spent shell casings and bullet holes in nearby homes. Shortly after, Christie was dropped off at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. He later died from his injuries.

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Detectives determined the shooting occurred during a planned drug transaction between Christie and co-defendant Davinci Cheesman Dawson, 17. According to MCSO, multiple masked gunmen, including Figueroa-Tirado, opened fire on Christie during the exchange.

Both suspects were indicted for First Degree Murder in September 2023. Dawson pleaded guilty last week and received a 30-year prison sentence.

Assistant State Attorneys Toby Hunt and Richard Buxman prosecuted the case.

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