McKnight Found Guilty of Armed Robbery, Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Other Charges

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Brandon Jaron McKnight, 28, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Armed Robbery with Actual Possession of a Firearm, Attempted Murder with Actual Possession and Discharge of a Firearm, Retaliation against a Witness without Bodily Injury, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. McKnight now faces a maximum of life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Angela M. Cox during the week of Jan. 2, 2018.

On Nov. 2, 2014, McKnight robbed victim Renaldo Jones at gunpoint. During the armed robbery, McKnight’s unknown co-defendant shot Jones in the chest. McKnight and his unknown co-defendant left Jones for dead and fled the crime scene. Jones survived and identified McKnight as one of the two men who robbed him. After McKnight was arrested and charged with Armed Robbery, he posted bond and was released from the Duval County Jail.

Just 13 days after he appeared at a pre-trial conference, McKnight on the evening of March 15, 2016, laid in wait outside of Jones’ home after acquiring his address from police reports generated during the Armed Robbery investigation. When Jones exited his home and walked to his car parked in the driveway, McKnight confronted him while armed with a rifle. McKnight repeatedly and systematically shot at Jones, then fled the scene when Jones returned fire with a handgun. Jones was lawfully able to carry and had a concealed weapons permit. Jones survived this attempt on his life and, again, identified McKnight as his assailant.

McKnight is a five-time convicted felon and the State has filed a Prison Release Reoffender Notice, seeking to sentence him to a mandatory life sentence.

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Lara Mattina and LaTesha Campbell.