{"id":488051,"date":"2026-01-02T22:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T22:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/488051\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T22:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T22:30:11","slug":"jacksonvilles-2025-homicide-data-reveals-spikes-in-certain-areas-but-only-1-gang-related-death-a-7-year-olds-murder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/488051\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville\u2019s 2025 homicide data reveals spikes in certain areas but only 1 gang-related death: A 7-year-old\u2019s murder"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 After a historic drop to 82 homicides<\/a> reported in Jacksonville in 2024, the numbers ticked back up over 100 in 2025, including 11 fatal police-involved shootings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But one number the Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office reported was remarkably low: As of Dec. 9<\/a>, only one of the city\u2019s homicides was considered gang or group-affiliated, according to Sheriff T.K. Waters.<\/p>\n

That one was among the most high-profile murders in Jacksonville last year: the shooting death of 7-year-old Breon Allen Jr.<\/a> on Jan. 24 as he walked to a store with his cousin, who was also shot but survived.<\/p>\n

Waters announced the \u201ctruly historical drop in gang-related deaths\u201d during a news conference touting the accomplishments of JSO\u2019s Narcotics and Vice Section<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cJSO uses a multifaceted approach to violence prevention. Breaking up illegal drug operations is an important piece of this strategy, (and) our approach is delivering unprecedented results,\u201d Waters said during the news conference (press play above for a replay<\/b>). <\/p>\n

RELATED | <\/b>Jacksonville overdose deaths in 2025 dropped by 30% from last year & by more than half from 2022: sheriff<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Waters acknowledged that even one murder is too many but said the department was encouraged by the low number of gang-related homicides in 2025.<\/p>\n

News4JAX crime analyst Tom Hackney pointed out that \u201cgang affiliation\u201d statistics can be subjective.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to see that there\u2019s not that gang-related correlation between those numbers, but it\u2019s still — you could have people that aren\u2019t quite certified that are hanging around with this group that haven\u2019t met that criteria, that long list, that maybe they\u2019re still related to it,” Hackney cautioned.<\/p>\n

Arlington crime scene (WJXT)<\/p>\n

Hackney agreed that the low number is encouraging, but stressed it\u2019s crucial to keep<\/b> those numbers down with the promise of downtown economic growth this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have that relationship between what the city\u2019s perception is and that violent crime aspect, so it\u2019s very important to the city, to its economic growth, to its reputation, to make sure that we\u2019re known for good things,\u201d Hackney said.<\/p>\n

Making arrests<\/b><\/p>\n

Of the 79 murder cases reported in Jacksonville, 44 have been cleared, according to JSO. That means either an arrest was made or the death was a result of a murder-suicide.<\/p>\n

Among those \u201ccleared\u201d cases is Allen\u2019s murder.<\/p>\n

Shortly after the 7-year-old\u2019s death, Waters promised swift justice for all those involved<\/a>.<\/p>\n

JSO said 18-year-old Keith Fields, 20-year-old Dannel Larkins, 21-year-old Keith Johnson, and 24-year-old Zharod Sykes are facing several charges in connection with the shooting that killed Breon Allen Jr. and seriously injured his cousin, Lafayette Mango Jr., 21. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone who callously opens fire on a 7-year-old cannot be allowed to walk the streets of our city,\u201d Waters said. \u201cWe will not rest until those responsible are held accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since Allen\u2019s death, four men and two teens were charged with murder in the case:<\/a> Zharod Sykes, 24; Keith Johnson, 21; and Dannel Larkins, 20; Donte McGhee, 17; Tavaris Kelly, 17 and Keith Fields, 18.<\/p>\n

JSO documents show they are affiliated with the notorious Jacksonville gang 6 Block<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sykes pleaded guilty<\/a> on June 24 to second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Kelly pleaded guilty<\/a> on July 16 to second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and two gun charges.<\/p>\n

Tavaris Kelly, 17, and Zharod Sykes, 24, have pleaded guilty to their roles in the shooting death of 7-year-old Breon Allen Jr. (WJXT)<\/p>\n

McGhee, Fields, Larkins, and Johnson have pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in Allen\u2019s shooting death. Larkins is also now facing murder charges for separate cases in 2023 and 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Crunching the data<\/b><\/p>\n

Allen\u2019s deadly shooting happened in a part of Jacksonville notorious for high homicide numbers: ZIP code 32209, which includes areas like Northwest Jacksonville, Grand Park and Durkeeville.<\/p>\n

In 2025, 12 homicides were reported in 32209, once again leading the way with 11% of the city\u2019s homicides for the year. That\u2019s similar to the number reported for the ZIP code in 2024.<\/p>\n

But interestingly, several areas saw their number of homicides increase significantly:<\/p>\n