Jury Finds Gang Associate Guilty of Attempted Murder-For-Hire

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Di’joure Renfrow guilty of Attempted Second-Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder for a 2023 murder-for-hire shooting. With the verdict, Renfrow faces up to 20 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable London Kite will sentence Renfrow at a later date.

On May 19, 2023, the victim received death threats from co-defendant Shankia Ellington after the victim failed to pay Ellington for a previous sexual transaction. Hours later, Renfrow—a gang associate—fired 17 rounds at the victim’s home. The victim was inside the home along with three others, including a child; no one was injured. After the shooting, Renfrow texted Ellington to confirm the job was done and demanded payment. Detectives arrested Ellington, and she confessed to officers that she hired Renfrow for $1,000 to kill the victim.

On July 14, 2023, Renfrow was arrested by the Community Problem Response Unit detectives who discovered a firearm in his belongings. The firearm was ballistically linked to the casings found on scene and Renfrow’s DNA was on the firearm.

Ellington previously pleaded guilty to the court on April 24, 2025, for Attempted First-Degree Murder, Solicitation to Commit a Capital Felony, and Written Threats to Kill. She will be sentenced at a later date.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Katherina Brown and Brittany Johnson.