Almost ten years after Saadyar "Sy" Johnson was fatally shot in a Del Rio apartment complex, Hillsborough County detectives say they finally have a suspect in custody. Authorities say 34-year-old Marqui Newton was arrested in Brevard County after investigators obtained a warrant based on new forensic testing and fresh witness interviews.
Gunfire at Del Rio Apartments
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, deputies rushed to the Del Rio Apartments on North 50th Street on May 3, 2016, after a ShotSpotter alert and multiple 911 calls reported gunfire. They found Johnson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died, and the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.
Investigators say Johnson was targeted during an armed robbery. Early leads at the time tied Newton to the shooting, but detectives said there was not enough evidence then to make an arrest.
Cold Case Work Led to a Warrant
The sheriff's office says its Cold Case Unit kept working the file as forensic tools improved. In 2025, detectives located previously unknown witnesses, re-interviewed earlier witnesses, and submitted additional DNA for testing with help from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant on May 20, 2026, charging Newton with felony first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office took him into custody on May 21, 2026. "No matter how much time passes, we will never stop seeking justice for victims and their families," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.
What Happens Next
Newton remains in custody in Brevard County and is expected to be transported back to Hillsborough County to face the charges, though officials have not released a transfer date, as reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Authorities say the arrest resulted from a multi-agency effort that included the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force.
Charges and Legal Penalties
Newton is charged with felony first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. Under Florida law, murder in the first degree is a capital felony punishable by death or life imprisonment, per Florida Statutes 7782.04, according to the Florida Legislature, and robbery with a firearm is a first-degree felony that carries enhanced penalties under Florida Statutes 7812.13, according to the Florida Legislature.
