McDaniel Found Guilty of Attempted Murder of Security Guard

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Christopher McDaniel guilty of Attempted First-Degree Felony Murder and Armed Robbery. With the verdict, McDaniel faces up to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable London Kite will formally sentence McDaniel at a later date.

On Aug. 4, 2023, Christopher McDaniel and a co-defendant planned and executed an armed robbery on an illegal gaming business on Herlong Road. The victim was the security guard positioned at the front door. When the two men tried to go into the business, McDaniel shot the victim and pushed him back. The co-defendant fired multiple rounds at the victim. The victim then ran to get help, and both McDaniel and the co-defendant robbed the business. The two escaped in an SUV driven by another person.

The co-defendant’s case is ongoing.

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