JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The family of 23-year-old Gabriel Devoe, a college student shot and killed in an apartment complex in Jacksonville’s Arlington area in 2022, was at the scene of the crime today asking neighbors to break the code of silence and share what they know.
It was Nov. 2, 2022 when JSO officers responded to the 2900 block of Justina Road in reference to shooting. When they arrived, they located a man laying on the ground outside a car in the parking lot, suffering from gunshot wounds.
That man was Gabriel Devoe, who died of his injuries. His killer was never found and his family is still seeking justice.
“They took everything from us when they took our Gabriel," Rose Devoe, Gabriel's mother, said.
Rose Devoe spent Saturday morning along with members from MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social-Disorder) and officers with JSO praying feet away from where her son was killed, then going door to door and sharing her story with neighbors.
“He had a contagious smile. He was the center of our life and we fought for Gabriel in utero and we’re going to fight for him now," Devoe said.
Devoe had complications in pregnancy, but Gabriel was born healthy. He went on to succeeded in school and was home on break from his last semester of college was he was shot. The shooter has not been identified.
“Gabriel is our miracle baby. And why we’re here today standing in front of the Caroline Village apartment complex where someone decided to call a death sentence over Gabriel’s life," Devoe said.
A $15,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can provide information and help solve this crime.
“We’re seeking justice for our son and I submit to you, it could be any of our sons. And my prayer is that you never feel the pain of losing a child," Devoe said.
Her message, break the code of silence and if you know something reach out to JSO at (904) 630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS(8477).