FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Chapman
Phone: (904) 255-3004
Cell: (904) 524-6626
ChapmanD@coj.net
October 18, 2023
SUMTER PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED MURDERS, STALKING
State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Robert Sumter III pleaded guilty to three counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Armed Aggravated Stalking, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Robbery. Sumter faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Lindsay Tygart will sentence Sumter at a later date.
On May 22, 2019, two people were helping a woman install security cameras outside her business after ongoing issues with Sumter, who was stalking her. While installing the cameras, Sumter showed up and began shooting at the woman and the two men installing the cameras. Officers with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene after the shots were fired. The woman told police she has known Sumter for many years, and they previously had an intimate relationship, which the victim ended. Sumter had been calling the woman on a blocked number and stalking her home all month long. On this day, the victim saw a car she didn’t recognize as she and the two men were installing the cameras. Sumter hopped out of the car and began firing at the two men. Sumter fired at the victim as she was walking out of her business, and she quickly ran back inside. The responding officer observed four spent shell casings and one live round in the parking lot. Bullets hit the vehicle, and fortunately no one was injured. The woman had previously filed multiple police reports against Sumter for his threatening behavior. Sumter is a previously convicted felon and is not legally allowed to possess a firearm.
The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Susan Haag and Terence Martin.