Journalist, 24, shot dead in Florida as heartbroken fiancée says ‘I will never be the same again’

The young journalist who was shot dead while reporting at a murder scene in Pine Hills, Florida, on Wednesday has been named.

Dylan Lyons, 24, was killed and his Spectrum News 13 colleague was injured on duty while broadcasting about a local homicide that had occurred at the same location five hours earlier.

Lyons was one of three people killed in the area on Wednesday. Moments after the journalist was gunned down, a nine-year-old girl and her mother were allegedly also shot by the same suspect.

Keith Melvin Moses, 19, a career criminal with a lengthy rap sheet, sneered and smiled as he was handcuffed on Wednesday in connection to the three shootings – which police believe are all linked. 

Lyons’ heartbroken fiancée, Casey Lynn, wrote: ‘The love of my life was murdered. I will never be the same again.’ 

The first fatality occurred at 11.17am on Wednesday morning, on 6100 block of Hialeah Street – where Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies found a 20-year-old woman with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The 24-year-old journalist was shot dead while working at a murder scene in Florida. He worked for Spectrum News 13 for just under a year before his death

Keith Melvin Moses smirked and smiled as he was taken away in handcuffs after being arrested in connection to the three killings in Orlando, Florida. The terror started just after 11am, when a woman, 20, was found dead on the street with shotgun wounds. Then at 4.05pm that day – as broadcasters gathered to report the local news – the suspect is believed to have returned and started firing again

Keith Moses (pictured), 19, was arrested and is suspected with committing all of the shootings, which took place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday

Spectrum News 13’s Lyons then arrived at the first murder scene to begin reporting on the woman’s death. However, the suspect returned and started firing again – gunning down the news reporter and injuring the photographer.

At the same time, around 4.05pm, police were called to a third shooting nearby – where a mother and her nine-year-old daughter had been shot in a residential house. The child later died, and the mom is still in critical condition. 

Sheriff John Mina said that Moses was in some way connected to his first victim – but that the potential motive for the second and third shootings are unclear. 

Lyons joined Spectrum News 13 in July 2022 as a reporter – which was a career move he said he was looking forward to

Philadelphia-born Dylan Lyons graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Central Florida in 2020 – and received his Master’s in Criminal Justice a year later.

The ambitious young journalist, 24, was known for being ‘a voice for the voiceless’ and reported on a plethora of stories in his community – including crime, politics, and social issues.

Rick Brunson, a professor at UCF who taught Lyons, said he was an avid, passionate reporter within the industry. 

Brunson told WFTV following the news: ‘He loves journalism, and he loves it because of the difference that he always feels like he can make in whatever community he’s in, by being on the street with a microphone and a photographer, and telling the stories of the community he’s in.

‘That’s what he’s about.’ 

While studying at college, he took the role as Sports Editor and reporter for UCF’s outlet, Knight News. Following his tragic death, the outlet tweeted out: ‘He was truly dedicated and loved reporting. He will be missed.’

Lyons joined Spectrum News 13 in July 2022 as a reporter – which was a career move he said he was ‘looking forward’ to. He previously worked for WCJBTV 20 in Gainesville, Florida. 

Dylan Lyons pictured with his fiancée Casey. Lyons was gunned down and killed while at work in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday afternoon

Philadelphia-born Dylan Lyons graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Central Florida in 2020

One of Lyons’ fellow colleagues, reporting on his death, said that his fiancée and family was at the hospital with him when he died

During his time at News 13, he covered some of Florida’s key stories in the last eight months – including Governor Ron DeSantis’ re-election campaign during the Midterm elections.

The young reporter won an award for Best Politics and Elections Series for covering the House of Representatives race in the state’s 3rd District in 2020. 

He was also nominated for his investigative work in 2021 for a story titled: ‘Alachua County residents accuse neighbor of abusing her dogs.’

Aside from his dedication to journalism, Lyons also shared moments of his personal life online – including sweet photos his beloved fiancée, Casey. 

Last year, he wrote on Twitter: ‘November 7th, 2021 changed my life forever! It is the day you became my girlfriend! That was one of the easiest decisions of my life! You’re a remarkable, beautiful, kind, loving, and caring girl Case! I love you so much!’

One of Lyons’ fellow colleagues, reporting on his death, said that his fiancée and family was at the hospital with him when he died. 

His family and friends have started a GoFundMe to cover his funeral costs.  

A man has been arrested after the TV reporter and a 9-year-old girl were shot dead at the scene of the fatal homicide of a 20-year-old woman that happened earlier that day in Orange County, Florida, all believed to be connected to the same suspect

Lyons (right) and his fiancée Casey Lynn

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies reported to the 6100 block of Hialeah Street in Orlando at around 11:17 a.m. where they discovered a woman in her 20s who had been fatally shot

According to witnesses, the suspect approached the news vehicle around 4pm and opened fire, hitting the two journalists. He then walked to a nearby home and shot the mother and daughter. 

The mother and child, nine, were inside a residence on Harrington Street when they were shot. The young girl has died, and her mother is still in critical condition.

Mina said it was ‘unclear’ why Moses chose to enter their home.  

According to Spectrum News 13, the photographer is ‘healing’ and ‘been able to speak with investigators and colleagues.

Moses has already formally charged with the murder of the woman earlier Wednesday morning and Mina expects further charges from the later shootings. He has a history of gun violence – including assault with a deadly weapon and grand theft charges.

The police chief said: ‘At 19, he has a lengthy criminal history, to include gun charges, aggravated battery and assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and grand theft charges.’

Mina added that Moses ‘is not saying much right now’ and they have not been able to determine a motive, nor have they figured out if he specifically targeted the media members.  

‘It’s unclear why exactly they were targeted, and certainly we’re going to look into that,’ Mina said.

Casey and Dylan’s final photo together, which was posted on her social media

Sheriff John Mina (pictured) said that Moses was in some way connected to his victim and noted that homicide detectives had collected evidence, conducted follow-up interviews and developed leads before leaving the premises

Mina said the News 13 vehicle did not look like a typical news van with TV station markings. 

The White House has since commented on the shooting via Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. 

‘Our hearts go out to the family of the journalist killed today and the crew member injured in Orange County, Florida, as well as the whole Spectrum News team,’ she wrote. 

‘I want to acknowledge what a horrible day this has been for our community and our media partners,’ Mina told a room full of reporters. ‘I work closely with all of you and know many of you and know the the very difficult job that you do and also the very important job that you do for our community and for law enforcement.’ 

‘No one in our community – not a mother, not a 9-year-old and certainly not news professionals – should become the victim of gun violence in our community,’ he added. 

Orange County Sheriff John Mina addresses the media during a press conference about multiple shootings

‘I want to acknowledge what a horrible day this has been for our community and our media partners,’ Mina told a room full of reporters. ‘I work closely with all of you and know many of you and know the the very difficult job that you do and also the very important job that you do for our community and for law enforcement.’ 

Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum News 13, said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and the other lives senselessly taken today. 

‘Our thoughts are with our employee’s family, friends and co-workers during this very difficult time. We remain hopeful that our other colleague who was injured makes a full recovery.

‘This is a terrible tragedy for the Orlando community.’

Dylan Lyons: The dynamic young journalist shot dead on-duty while doing what he loved 

Dylan Lyons graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Central Florida in 2020.

The ambitious young journalist – who worked for a number of broadcast and newspaper publications in his short career – also received a Master’s in Criminal Justice from the same school a year later.

When he announced his job at Spectrum News 13, Lyons wrote: ‘I cherish this opportunity to report on the Central Florida community! I’m looking forward to working with the amazing and talented team at News 13!’ 

Lyons – who often shared his courageous work on social media – was previously an anchor at WCJB TV – a local news station in Gainesville, Florida.

While studying at college, he took the role as President of the Radio Television Digital News Association – as well as Sports Editor and reporter for UCF’s outlet, Knight News.

Following his tragic death, the newspaper said: ‘He was truly dedicated and loved reporting.’

Lyons’ passion for journalism was always clear – according to those who worked with him. While a student, he interned for WKMG News 6, WFTV, and WMFE 90.7. 

Despite being just 24-years-old, Lyons covered pivotal political and news stories in and around Florida – including Governor Ron DeSantis’ re-election campaign.

And he won an award for Best Politics and Elections Series for covering the House of Representatives race in the state’s 3rd District in 2020.