Staff Reports
An 18-year-old was charged with murder Wednesday stemming from a 2021 shooting that killed a Lake City teen.
According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) release, deputies arrested Brandon Hopkins, 18, of Lake City and charged him with the murder of Dionne Leslie.
The shooting occurred on Feb. 2, 2021, at the intersection of SE Lochlynn Terrace and SE Putnam Street. CCSO deputies responded and located two 17-year-olds who had been shot. Leslie later died from his injuries.
“This is bittersweet for us,” said Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter in the press release. “We are pleased to bring closure to a victim’s family, but we understand that nothing will bring back their loved one. We will continue to work with the State Attorney’s Office to make sure this suspect is held accountable for his actions.”
CCSO had been investigating the incident for the past two years.
Hopkins was already in custody at the Columbia County Detention Center on charges unrelated to the shooting. He was booked for the charges related to the murder on Wednesday.