Dozens gather to reject return of Titusville police officer involved in Tri-Marea Charles shooting
Dozens, including Charles' mother, showed up at a community meeting on July 30 to share their concerns and frustration over the police department's decision to allow Officer Xzevies Baez, who was cleared of wrongdoing in 25-year-old Charles' death, to resume his duties.
"We don't want Baez back in our community. It's not safe. We're scared of him," Samantha Charles, mother of Tri-Marea Charles, told those gathered at the Isaac Campell Park community center on South Street."If he's out here and he gets behind somebody, people are going to be afraid to pull over. We want to be protected, we want to be safe, and we don't want to live in fear in our community."
Police, state attorney: Officer's action was justified
On Feb. 7, 2025, Tri-Marea Charles was inside a home in a Titusville neighborhood when police arrived to investigate ongoing complaints. In body camera footage, Charles can be seen tripping and falling as he ran outside. That's when a handgun fell out of Charles' waistband onto the walkway.
Police said Charles then reached for the dropped handgun and subsequently transferred the gun from one hand to the other as he turned toward police officers, even as he ran from them. At that point, officers on the footage said Charles was armed and began firing.
'I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm going down. I (expletive) up my life. It's over with,' Charles said in the video, which details the deadly shooting and was released by Titusville police on June 13.
The case's findings were investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and reviewed by the Brevard County state attorney's office, which on June 10 announced that Titusville police officers were justified in the shooting death of Charles.
Investigators said Charles was shot 10 times, including several shots as he ran from one officer toward another following what investigators said was a "violent confrontation." |Titusville police chief John Lau said the gun was illegally modified to hold 30 rounds and fire automatically.
Charles' mother and many others in the community, however, have disputed the police and prosecutor's claims that Charles posed a threat to officers and that the situation could only be resolved through deadly force.
Kirk Davis, one of the leaders of the citizens group hosting the meeting, said there are issues facing the community at every level. But the driving force behind this week's gathering, he said, was a lack of compassion from the city. "When we lose a loved one, especially like what happened to Ms. Charles here, we expect a little decorum from the city," Davis said.
Community organizer: 'We've been misrepresented'
Janay Gelin, another speaker who helped organize the event, said continuing the conversation around Charles' death was necessary for unification.
"We need to come together as one to get something done so something like this never happens again," Gelin said.
"We've been misrepresented by our leadership because of a lack of compassion," added community organizer Stacey Lincoln.
Brevard County commissioner Katie Delaney was present as the only elected official at the meeting to show her support for those gathered. Although she represents the Titusville community in the District 1 seat at the county level, Delaney has no authority over the city government.
"When I heard your leaders were not going to be here, it really horrified me," Delaney told the group. "I just wanted to be here to hear your words and Ms. Charles, I am so sorry." Delaney, who championed stronger public engagement as part of her winning campaign for the Brevard County Commission last year, encouraged those in attendance to continue organizing, getting involved in local government and making their voices heard.
"There's a message here of unity and community," Delaney said.
"My only advice is to keep that going, and don't give in an ounce."
Tyler Vazquez is the Brevard County Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @tyler_vazquez.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Residents question return of Titusville officer involved in shooting
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