Duval County Teen Sentenced to 16 Years for Felony Murder

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that the Honorable Mark Borello sentenced 16-year-old Bobby Dann to 16 years in Florida State Prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years for Second-Degree Felony Murder and Attempted Armed Robbery. Dann previously pleaded guilty on March 28, 2024, to the shooting death of a 15-year-old juvenile.

On Sept. 2, 2023, patrol officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to Java Drive for a person shot in the roadway. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. Multiple juveniles surrounded the victim. A witness held one teen while he was visibly upset, and then Dann ran to the scene and claimed the victim was his “brother.” The teens explained they were at their friend’s house hanging out before the victim was shot. A nearby home surveillance camera captured a black sedan driving away after multiple shots were heard. Officers located the car not far from the scene and the driver — Joshua Roberts — was still inside the car. Roberts told police the teens attempted to rob him. His car had multiple bullet holes on the side and windows. Crime scene detectives collected multiple shell casings from the scene. During the investigation, Roberts said he met with Dann and the victim to sell marijuana. The victim came to the driver’s side window and Dann walked to the passenger side window. The victim offered to pay for the drugs through Cash App and handed Roberts his phone. As Roberts was distracted trying to get the app to work, Dann demanded the drugs and pointed a gun at him. Roberts pressed on the gas and Dann began shooting. Roberts returned gunfire in self-defense as he drove away.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Jay Plotkin.