Teen driving SUV: 'That night was a defining moment in all our lives'

Tommie Stornes speaks publicly after Dunn sentenced to life

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tommie Stornes, the teen who was driving the SUV that was shot up by Michael Dunn nearly two years ago, spoke publicly Friday for the first time outside of court.

As 10 shots rang out the night of Nov. 23, 2012, outside a Gate gas station, Stornes drove away, ultimately protecting two other passengers from being shot. Jordan Davis, 17, was killed.

"I really don't want to speak in detail about that night," Stornes said. "I really just did what I could to save all our lives. But that night, that night was a defining moment in all of our lives."

After Dunn was sentenced to life in prison Friday, Ron Davis, Jordan Davis' father, called Stornes a hero.

"He tried his best to save Jordan's life," Ron Davis said. "He is our hero. He's our absolute hero."

Ron Davis said if it weren't for Stornes' quick thinking, all four teens who were in the SUV might be dead.

When the first shots hit Jordan Davis, Stornes drove away from the gas station, trying to get the other teens out of harm's way.

Stornes said the memory of Jordan Davis' last moments alive are extremely difficult to talk about. But during the trial, he told the jury how Jordan Davis gasped for breath and bled to death inside his SUV.

"Jordan didn't respond to the sound of his name," Stornes said while on the witness stand. "He was laying on Leland, gasping for air."

"It just changed me as a person, the way I look at life, the way I treat people, the way I value people, the way I look at life," Stornes said Friday.

He said Dunn's apology at his sentencing hearing came too little too late, and he doesn't believe Dunn is truly remorseful for what he did.

Stornes said he doesn't think he did anything heroic. Instead, he said he acted out of instinct.

"As far as them calling me a hero, I don't consider myself a hero," Stornes said. "I just did what I could, what anyone would in that kind of situation."

Stornes and Jordan Davis' family said they have several events planned in the near future to continue to remember the legacy Jordan Davis leaves behind.


About the Author:

Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.