JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In true “The Local Station” fashion, we brought you stories that directly impacted our community from January through December.
From viral moments that caught national attention to national tragedies that hit close to home, here are some of the top local headlines that garnered your attention in 2025.
Viral violent JSO traffic stopThe Jacksonville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) spoke out on Monday about a viral video showing a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office traffic stop that turned violent in February. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
Video posted on social media captured the moment that a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer broke the car window and hit William McNeil Jr. in the face before pulling him out of the vehicle during a traffic stop on Feb. 19.
The viral video with millions of views sparked local and national outrage. McNeil, who suffered a chipped tooth and a concussion, also hired well-known civil rights attorney Ben Crump to file a federal lawsuit against the officers involved in the incident.
The State Attorney’s Office said the officer’s use of force was consistent with his training as a distraction strike and to control physical resistance, and the State Attorney’s Office concluded the force was lawful and did not constitute criminal acts.
MORE | ‘I was really just scared’: Man punched, pulled from his car by JSO officers in viral traffic stop speaks out |Attorneys highlight angle of JSO traffic stop video showing officer pointing gun at 22-year-old man | DOJ should join investigation involving man in viral traffic stop after SAO memo ‘justifies’ officer’s actions: attorney
Inmate dies in custodyCharles Faggart died after an ‘incident’ at the Duval County Jail. (Photo provided by family attorney)
Charles Faggart, a 31-year-old local food truck owner, was hospitalized and later died from his injuries that occurred during an unspecified “incident” involving nine correctional staff members at the Duval County Jail.
The officers were reassigned to different positions while the investigation into the April 7 incident continued, but questions remained about what led to his death.
Faggart was in jail on simple assault and criminal mischief charges. He had been in jail for multiple days before the incident.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation in September, but hadn’t released any updates.
Since his death, many community protests have been held to demand answers and accountability.
MORE | ‘I miss my son’: Mother of dead Duval County inmate looking for justice, answers in investigation | Medical records shed new light on controversial jail death, contradict JSO account: The Tributary
Jacksonville rapper found guilty of murderJacksonville rapper ‘Ksoo’ found guilty in murder case (WJXT)
Jacksonville rapper Hakeem “Ksoo” Robinson and his cousin were found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2020 shooting of Charles “Lil Buck” McCormick Jr. It was a case that was thrown into the national spotlight due to its ties to gang and rap community tensions.
The prosecution argued that Robinson and Whitaker targeted McCormick over a “diss” track linked to a previous murder of Robinson’s family member, using witness testimonies, surveillance videos, and rap lyrics as key evidence.
Robinson’s father, Abdul Robinson Sr., testified against his son during the trial.
Despite defense arguments highlighting discrepancies in witness descriptions of the shooter’s height and challenging the credibility of state witnesses, the jury convicted both men, and they were sentenced to life in prison.
First conviction in Jacksonville rapper’s murderCharles Jones, also known as Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio. (YouTube)
The only woman of the five people accused in the ambush shooting death of Jacksonville rapper “Julio Foolio” was found guilty of manslaughter in his murder.
Alicia Andrews, 21, was the first of the five people accused in the shooting to go to trial. Jones, 26, was shot and killed on June 23, 2024, in an ambush attack while celebrating his birthday in Tampa.
Andrews claimed she was unaware of the murder plot, but the prosecution argued that Andrews actively participated in tracking Jones, which led to the attack.
She was also found not guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.
MORE | Surveillance video shows ambush murder of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio in Tampa | Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio shot, killed in Tampa ‘ambush’ | Julio Foolio murder suspect linked to earlier attempt to kill the Jacksonville rapper, new evidence show
Math teacher & toddler die in DUI crashMitchell Patch and his 1-year-old son Everett were killed while crossing Baymeadows Road on May 16. (GoFundMe)
Mitchell Patch, a math teacher at Bayview Elementary, and his 1-year-old son, Everett, tragically died on May 16 after being struck by a car on Baymeadows Road in Jacksonville.
The incident has highlighted concerns about pedestrian safety, prompting calls for improved crosswalks and signals.
Logan Park, the driver accused in the fatal accident, was charged with DUI manslaughter six months after the crash, where he was found to have a blood alcohol level of .107, which is well above the legal limit.
The Florida Department of Transportation conducted a road evaluation and recommended that a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Crosswalk and refuge island be added in the area.
There was no word on whether there was a plan to move forward with the recommendation.
Father hits 8-month-old with carJustin Golden, 20 (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
Justin Golden, a Jacksonville man, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child after running over and killing his 8-month-old son, Pablo, during an argument with the child’s mother in January.
His family told News4JAX that Pablo’s death was accidental and not intentional.
JSO said Golden got into an argument with the child’s mother, pulled over and placed the child on the ground. When he drove off, that’s when the child was hit.
In a letter to the judge, Golden pleaded for leniency, highlighting his clean record and the toll of the tragedy on him and his family.
The plea deal could result in a maximum sentence of 30 years for aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Middleburg 14-year-old charged with killing parentsTrevor Lee, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder after he was accused of shooting his parents in their Clay County home, appeared in court on Tuesday for his arraignment. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
Trevor Lee, 14, faced first-degree murder charges after deputies said he shot his parents, David Lee and Brandi Smith, in their Clay County home on Aug. 4.
Following the deadly incident, Lee walked about 1.4 miles to a local church to call 911 to admit he had killed his parents and requested prayers from the dispatcher, the sheriff’s office said.
It appeared the shooting happened after Lee got into an argument with his parents. The weapon, believed to belong to the couple, was found in the home.
Airport garage goes up in flamesA viewer shared dramatic video of a fire at the Jacksonville International Airport hourly parking garage. (WJXT)
A fire that broke out at the Jacksonville International Airport’s hourly garage in May affected over 1,200 parked cars, left about 50 cars damaged and caused significant structural damage.
The blaze that was believed to have been sparked by a BMW X3 began on the second floor and led to partial collapses.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority estimated repairs would cost at least $38 million and take 18 months, with the third and fourth floors of the garage being the most affected.
The incident led to the loss of over 500 public parking spaces and $3 million in losses from parking fees and car rentals.
MORE | At least $38 million, 18 months to repair hourly garage at Jacksonville airport after massive fire | Parts of hourly garage at JAX will have to be demolished after fire wrecks 50 cars, causes structural damage | Documents reveal Jacksonville airport addressed structural concerns, made repairs to daily and hourly parking garages
Travis Hunter enters the chatJacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs onto the field for an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
In spring 2025, the Jaguars stunned the NFL world by trading up to select Colorado superstar and two-way Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
It was a bold, heavily praised move. Hunter quickly embraced Jacksonville, buying a record-setting estate in the Deerwood neighborhood and settling there with his new wife. On the field, he immediately became a key offensive and defensive weapon.
However, by November, his promising rookie campaign was abruptly halted by a knee injury that required surgery, sidelining him for the rest of the season but with an expected full recovery timeline of about six months — leaving the long-term optimism around his talent and impact largely intact.
Peg Leg Pete on his last legPeg Leg Pete gets new home (WJXT)
The removal of Peg Leg Pete caused quite a stir in the Nassau County community. The beloved pirate statue and Fernandina Beach landmark since the late 1970s was found unsafe for public interaction after decades of weathering.
Safety concerns and a surprising claim about cremated remains inside the statue led the city to restrict access and ultimately remove him from his downtown post, relocating him to the Amelia Island Museum of History — but still outside and vulnerable due to a bug infestation.
In response to strong community affection for the statue, the mayor and city launched a fundraising campaign to raise $23,000 by early 2026 to restore Peg Leg Pete and “bring him home.”
Was that snow? January winter storm coverage
Northeast Florida residents were surprised to wake up to what looked like snow on the ground and covering their cars after a winter storm in January moved out.
The storm that hit on Jan. 22 brought freezing rain and snow flurries that caused schools and businesses to close due to expected dangerous conditions.
But was it snow? The Weather Authority said chances are it was not technically snowing in Duval County. According to our meteorologists, what we were seeing was sleet. Sleet can be compacted into “snow” balls.
Brunswick, Georgia, received over an inch of snow on the ground, and just south of the state line, flurries were spotted in Fernandina Beach, but everything else turned up mostly as sleet, according to our meteorologists.
Either way, many people shared their excitement on SnapJAX.
Potomac tragedy hit homesFamily photo of Melissa Nicandri. Background is scene from Potomac crash recovery effort (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) (WJXT)
The daughter of Jacksonville attorney Peter Nicandri, 28-year-old Melissa Nicandri, was among the 60 passengers who died in a collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army Blackhawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport in January.
Nicandri, a Ponte Vedra High School grad and Vanderbilt and Johns Hopkins University alum, was on a business trip from Kansas.
Nicandri’s father expressed pride in her achievements and character, remembering his daughter as beautiful, smart, kind and generous.
The family filed a lawsuit against American Airlines and the federal government in December. However, the government has already admitted fault in the fatal collision.
MORE | Florida man among victims in tragic American Airlines crash with Army helicopter | 14 from figure skating community killed in plane crash, six of them from Boston club | Trump blames diversity hiring as probe into deadly midair collision begins
FSU shooting sends shockwaves to JacksonvilleFSU strong posted at memorial for victims of shooting (WJXT)
This wasn’t a direct local connection, but it sent shockwaves through our community when news broke about an active shooter at Florida State University.
News4JAX was immediately on the scene to learn more about the incident that killed two people and injured others on April 17.
Phoenix Ikner, the suspected shooter, faced two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder.
The shooting claimed the lives of Tiru Chabba, a food service employee, and Robert Morales, a high school football coach, while injuring five others.
In the wake of the incident, FSU students mourned the loss of life while also calling for action to be taken to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring
MORE | She was resting in a hammock on the FSU campus when she first heard gunshots. Panic, confusion and pain followed | Just hold in there’: UNF students extend support to FSU after tragedy
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