Man Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder in 2018 Shooting

State Attorney Melissa Nelson today announces that Xavier Daniels, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Second-Degree Murder. The Honorable Kevin Blazs will set a sentencing hearing the week of May 24, 2021.

At about 6 p.m. Oct. 29, 2018, a member of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office observed several people running from Simonds-Johnson Park in Northwest Jacksonville. When the officer responded, he found two vehicles and a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds in the roadway. A female witness was attempting to help the victim, while Daniels stood nearby. The investigation determined the witness and Daniels were in a prior relationship. The witness stated Daniels had stalked her in recent weeks, which led to her unarmed boyfriend – the victim – verbally confronting Daniels about his behavior. Daniels shot the victim three times in the back in response.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Korey Milo and LaTesha Campbell.