Lake County man sentenced to 24 years in prison in fatal shooting in Leesburg

A Tavares man was sentenced to 24 years in prison last week for his involvement in a burglary that got a man killed in 2021.

On Sept. 9, 39-year-old Willie Jermaine Washington pled guilty and was sentenced to 24 years in the Department of Corrections for his involvement in the commission of the burglary that led to the death of a male victim. He also had a record of committing burglaries and a criminal history.  

Washington was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence and 2nd-degree felony murder. This conviction was the result of the diligent efforts made by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit and Assistant State Attorney Kenneth Nunnelley. 

On Oct. 4, 2021, the LCSO responded to a residence in the Leesburg area regarding a shooting. Deputies found the adult victim in the driveway of the residence, dead with a gunshot wound to the chest. 

The victim was in a relationship with a woman, and after they broke up, he saw a social media post of the woman and a new man together. Washington and the victim went to the woman’s residence where he admitted to acting as the lookout after trying to help the victim with kicking in the front door, which was unsuccessful. 

The victim then broke a window to the residence, causing the man inside to arm himself with a firearm and shoot, killing the victim. Washington, still the lookout, dragged the victim to the end of the driveway until he noticed he was no longer breathing. He left the victim at the scene but took his firearm and vehicle before fleeing the scene. 

Washington was ultimately arrested on Oct. 31, 2022, by the LCSO to be held without bond by the Lake County Jail. He was initially charged with 2nd degree felony murder, principal to armed burglary, possession of firearm by convicted felon and tampering with evidence. 

He has been arrested in the past for allegedly stealing copper from a Leesburg construction site.