Holzbacher Found Guilty of Attempted Murder, Other Crimes

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Stephen Holzbacher, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery, Armed Burglary, and Shooting Deadly Missiles. Holzbacher now faces up to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Mark Borello will set a sentencing hearing the week of July 12, 2021.

On the afternoon of Nov. 29, 2018, members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on County Cove Court in East Arlington regarding a shooting. The two victims — a father and his son — were in their garage working when Holzbacher, their neighbor, entered the garage. Holzbacher and the victims had a long-standing feud that culminated when he shot one victim in the leg and the other in the chest. Holzbacher initially told police he was not involved but at trial claimed to have acted in self-defense.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Trey Atkinson and Chris Huband.