Reward increases to $25K in 2012 murder

Investigators hope a new $25,000 reward gives them the break they need in a 2012 murder case in Lauderdale Lakes.

“I think the money … gives someone an incentive now to come forward,” said Kevin Forsberg, a homicide detective with the Broward Sheriff’s Office. “We do have stuff in the case that looks promising, but we need the public’s help.”

“We’re getting to that point where we just need that extra push,” he added. The initial reward in the case was $3,000.

Marquel McCormes, 29, was murdered on Sept. 1, 2012. He had been out with a group of friends. They started the night getting something to eat and then went to the FME Club on State Road 7. At 4 a.m., they headed home, with McCormes driving his black Dodge Charger.

They dropped off one friend and then headed to another’s house, on the 3000 block of Northwest 24th Street in Lauderdale Lakes. All the friends lived near one another.

McCormes’ friends entered the house and moments later, he staggered inside, blood coming from his mouth. He was rushed to Florida Medical Center and died less than a hour later.

Detectives have traveled out of state, and have spoken with people who were at the club. Forsberg said that McCormes may have been the victim of a “robbery gone wrong.”

Forsberg said that they have contacted a person of interest in the case, but he would not elaborate. “All it takes is a phone call, to help us move this case forward, get a resolution,” he said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call 954-493-TIPS (8477).

At the news conference Tuesday, McCormes’ parents pleaded for help, and expressed optimism that arrests will be made.

“It’s not fair for someone to be walking the streets who did something like that,” said Bernard McCormes, the victim’s father. He said his son was shot in the back.

Joanne Mobley, the victim’s mother, said she regularly wakes up at 2 or 3 a.m. thinking about her son. “The person that’s out there, they will be caught … and I know it’s going to happen soon,” she said.

The family and friends said McCormes was typically quiet, but he loved to talk about sports, especially LeBron James. He played football at Bethune-Cookman University.

“It’s a missing piece from our hearts, from our lives,” said Idella Johnson Muldrow, the victim’s grandmother.