Jury Finds Sanders Guilty of Attempted First-Degree Murder and Other Crimes

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Anthony Sanders guilty of Attempted First-Degree Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Tampering with Evidence. Sanders faces up to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Jeb Branham will sentence Sanders at a future hearing. 

On July 20, 2021, officers with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Johnson Avenue for a person shot. Upon arrival, they located the victim in the front room with gunshot wounds to the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews took the victim to the hospital where she was admitted to the surgical intensive care unit. A quick search of a law enforcement database showed three prior incidents of domestic nature between Sanders and the victim, who share a child together. The victim said Sanders was at the residence visiting when he became belligerent about their relationship and began drinking. After the victim told Sanders to leave, Sanders said he was going to kill her, pulled a gun from his backpack, and shot her multiple times. While she was on the ground, Sanders pulled out another gun — an AR-style pistol — from his backpack and attempted to shoot her again, but the gun jammed twice. Sanders then left the residence, taking both firearms with him, and left the victim to die. The victim was able to crawl to a window where she pulled herself up, pushed out the screen, and yelled for help. A neighbor heard the cries and called 911.

Sanders, a convicted felon, is not legally allowed to possess a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Caitlin Messinger and Erin Wolfson.