Jacksonville Men Found Guilty of Attempted Manslaughter After Social Media Dispute Turns Violent

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Jaquan Marquise Lawrence, of Jacksonville, and LaThomas Dennis, of Jacksonville, were found guilty by a jury of four counts of Attempted Manslaughter by Act. Lawrence now faces a maximum of 20 Years and Dennis a maximum of 75 years in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to be set by Honorable Russell Healey the week of Sept. 4.

On Oct. 25, 2017, the victims and Lawrence engaged in a dispute using social media. The victims only knew Lawrence through social media and the disagreement escalated from talk of fighting to exchanging threats. Lawrence then drove his car, which the victims recognized from social media, through the victims’ neighborhood. Hours later, the victims listened to music in a car in the driveway when Lawrence returned to make good on previous threats to shoot up the house. During the shooting, one of the victims recognized Dennis with a gun in Lawrence’s car. Days after the shooting, Lawrence went on social media to brag about the crime.

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Lauren Marie Huish and Rachel Algee.