JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – So far in 2025, Jacksonville is on track to match last year’s historic low for homicides.
Less than 50 homicides have been reported in the first six months of the year, a similar number to the first half of 2024.
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Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Max Morel pointed out that Sheriff T.K. Waters has said more than once that “one murder is one too many.”
But the relatively low numbers are encouraging.
“The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office continues to remain committed to the reduction of violent crimes across our great city,” Morel said in a statement to News4JAX. “This effort is made possible through strong leadership and forward-thinking innovative strategies. Initiatives such as Operation Safe Passage, led by Pastor Garland Scott, and JSO’s Gang Violence Reduction Initiatives have played a critical role in disrupting criminal activity and offering pathways to reform for those seeking a way out of a life of crime.”
Those gang-related crime reduction initiatives could be behind a significant improvement the city has seen in the first half of the year: a major reduction in the number of homicide victims under 18 years old.
By this time last year, nine children and teens had fallen victim to violence in the city.
In the first six months of 2025, the city has reported three child homicides: A 2-year-old who died after accidentally shooting himself, a 15-year-old killed in January, and, of course, the high-profile murder of 7-year-old Breon Lee Allen Jr.
No arrest has been made in the January shooting death of 15-year-old Willie Donta Pipes Jr. Daryvan Spell, 31, has been charged with child neglect in the case of the 2-year-old.
The six young men arrested in Allen’s murder range from 17 to 24 years old, and investigators say his shooting death was connected to an ongoing gang rivalry.
“It was a targeted, planned act, one with which, during the murders, clearly saw Breon walking innocently with the intended target,” a visibly angry Waters said when he announced the arrests earlier this year, calling the shooting a “heinous act.”
The search for those involved in Allen’s murder made headlines, but his was only one of the murder cases JSO has cleared this year.
Of the 37 murder cases reported through the end of June, 16 remain unsolved, keeping JSO on par with the average solve rate across the country of just over 50%.
Morel emphasized in his statement the importance of community involvement:
“Our continued progress would not be possible without the support and partnership of our community alongside our State Attorney’s Office. Our collaborative approach with prosecutors has strengthened our collective impact. Equally as important is the support and engagement from the community. This involvement remains a cornerstone of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s core value, Community Focused. This is seen in Sheriff Waters forward facing approach, such as the Townhalls and Community Walks where citizens have the opportunity to speak with the Sheriff and staff directly with their safety concerns.”
Of the solved murder cases, at least eight involved some form of domestic violence, and Morel said JSO always encourages those in dangerous domestic situations to reach out ot the police and other available resources.
Domestic violence resources
Free, confidential support is available 24/7 through Hubbard House’s Hotline at 904-354-3114 and Text line at 904-210-3698.
If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of domestic violence or abuse, other resources include:
- The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline, which will direct you to the nearest shelter, is 1-800-500-1119.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24 hours a day. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE.
