On Friday, a jury found a Pensacola man who shot three people, killing two of them, not guilty of murder.

Gideon Fussner, 20, was acquitted of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery after a two-day trial.

On Dec. 11, 2017, Fussner shot and killed Julius Lewis and Raymond Martinez at a residence in the 200 block of Weis Lane. He also shot and wounded a third individual named Ranlondis McDowell.

According to Fussner, the shootings were an act of self defense.

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Attorneys said bad blood developed between Fussner and Julius Lewis' older brother, Tyriqkus, because Fussner allegedly abandoned an apartment the men shared and stuck Tyriqkus with the bills.

Fussner claimed he left the apartment because Tyriqkus was causing problems, and he denied owing him any money.

The day of the shooting Tyriqkus reportedly posted a Facebook message threatening to beat Fussner so badly he would wind up in a coma.

Fussner ended up spending the evening at the home of a mutual friend on Weis Lane. A resident of the home testified that Tyriqkus showed up at the house, but was turned away to prevent him from being "jumped" by Fussner and some of his friends.

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Tyriqkus left but returned later with his brother Julius, Martinez and a third individual. Witnesses testified that as the men began walking into the home, Fussner started shooting at them.

Fussner testified that the men had "rushed in" and in a panic he grabbed a gun off the table and fired it until it was empty. He admitted to investigators that the men had not said or done anything directly threatening, and he also admitted to shooting Julius twice in the back as he tried to flee.

Still, Fussner argued that he had shot because he believed he was in danger, and jurors returned a "not guilty" verdict in the shooting.

Fussner was represented by Assistant Public Defender Marci McCoy. Assistant State Attorney Mark Alderman prosecuted the case for the state. Judge Jan Shackelford presided.

Kevin Robinson can be reached at krobinson4@pnj.com or 850-435-8527.