Jury Finds Williams Guilty of Attempted Second-Degree Murder

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Michael Williams Jr. guilty of Attempted Second-Degree Murder. With the jury finding Williams discharged the firearm causing great bodily injury, Williams faces up to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable London Kite will sentence Williams at a later date.

On Dec. 1, 2023, the victim was with a friend at The Avenues Mall in Jacksonville when they saw Williams. The victim, the victim’s friend, and Williams used to be close friends.  However, Williams and the victim had a falling out over a woman. The victim attempted to clear up their past. Williams pushed him while inside the mall, then followed him outside where he shoved the victim, took out his firearm, and shot the victim in the face. Williams drove off and later fled to Louisiana where JSO detectives arrested him. The victim was taken to the hospital for his injuries. There were multiple witnesses on scene, including the victim’s friend and an independent witness, who saw the shooting and moments leading up to it.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Crystal Ganpath-Freed and Loana Nardoni.