Alston Receives Life in Prison for Murder at Jacksonville Gas Station

State Attorney Melissa Nelson today announces that the Honorable Russell L. Healey sentenced Lorenzo Carol Alston, 24, of Jacksonville, to Life in Florida State Prison for Second-Degree Murder.

Alston pleaded guilty to the charge Sept. 22, 2017.

In May 2016, Alston was at a gas station located at 21st and Main streets, north of Downtown. Alston was in a vehicle at the station’s gas pumps when another vehicle parked in front of it and a passenger, Jessica Daniel, went into the store. During this time, Alston approached the other vehicle and spoke with the driver before returning to his car to retrieve an assault rifle. Daniel returned from inside the store to her vehicle and sat in the passenger seat.

Alston then emerged from the back of his parked vehicle and shot nine times into the other car, striking Daniel multiple times. She died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle also was injured.

The entire incident was captured on the gas station’s surveillance system. A community tip called into First Coast Crime Stoppers helped identify the shooter as Alston. Further evidence also showed Alston as being at the scene.

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Ashley Nicole Young.