Target lives, but 2 killed in central attack
POINCIANA (AP) – The two slain in a drug-related central Florida attack over the weekend appear to be innocent bystanders.
Polk County authorities said Monday it’s a mystery why assailants who broke into the Poinciana home didn’t kill Wilkins Merilan, the man they tortured and shot. Sheriff Grady Judd said: “Maybe he just didn’t die.”
Two other people who seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time did.
The intruders shot 23-three-year-old Dustin Freeman and 26-year-old Tamiqa Taylor execution-style.
Friends say Freeman was just staying the night after visiting his fiance in Orlando. Taylor had just started dating Merilan.
The intruders allegedly told the 29-year-old Merilan he owed them $5,000, and would have to work for them if he wanted to sell drugs.