Riverside Estates (32210) – A Florida man has been found guilty after fatally shooting his neighbor 32 times with a semi-automatic rifle, the court announced following a trial in Jacksonville. Jurors rejected the defendant’s claim of self-defense under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law and convicted him of second-degree murder. Sentencing is scheduled for November 15.
Prosecutors argued the sheer number of shots demonstrated intent rather than a reasonable belief of imminent danger. “No reasonable threat justified such excessive force,” State Attorney Mark Reynolds said, noting the volume of gunfire undermined the self-defense claim. Defense attorneys maintained the defendant acted to protect himself during a confrontation, but jurors were not persuaded.
The deadly incident occurred in August after months of escalating tension between the neighbors in the Riverside Estates area near Oakwood Drive and Monroe Street. Local resident Maria Torres described the community as frightened by the violence: “We’re terrified something like this could happen again.”
The victim’s family expressed relief at the verdict, while community leaders and residents renewed calls for reform and clearer limits on self-defense laws in violent neighborhood disputes. Police and local officials urged residents to report escalating conflicts and emphasized de-escalation. “De-escalation saves lives. Walk away before weapons come into play,” said Chief Daniel Brooks of the Jacksonville Police Department.
Immediate resources for those affected were highlighted: Victim Support Services at 904-555-CARE and the Gun Violence Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office incident report and photos from the scene were presented during the trial as part of the prosecution’s evidence.
Update log: Jury returned a guilty verdict at 2:45 PM; prosecutors had argued at 11:30 AM that excessive force invalidated the defendant’s self-defense claim. The case has reignited debate over the application of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law and its role in neighborhood conflicts.
