JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville teen has been sentenced to 16 years in prison Friday for his involvement in the death of a Sandalwood High student from September 2023 after the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said they tried to rob a drug dealer.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded to the 10700 block of Java Drive in reference to a person shot on Sept. 2, 2023. They found Me’Kel Queen, 15, dead in the street. Bobby Dann, 16, was arrested on second degree murder and attempted armed robbery charges three days later.
Witnesses reported a fight taking place prior to hearing gunshots, police said. Dann was arrested after investigators found a "wide range of evidence" connecting him to the crime, according to a release from JSO.
Gabriel Waisanen, 16, is also facing charges of murder, attempted armed robbery and evidence tampering in Queen's murder. He was arrested on Oct. 16. Waisanen's sentencing is set for Monday.
According to a JSO arrest report, Joshua Roberts said a drug deal was arranged on social media. He told investigators two people approached his car, pointed a gun at him and later fired at his car. The report redacted any mention of Roberts shooting Queen, but said officers received information about a man firing from his car.
He was not charged in Queen's death, but he was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
Queen's family spoke with First Coast News last year.
His father, Donnell Queen, said he spoke with his son hours before he was killed.
“I can’t feel his spirit anymore, it hurts me to even be in the same area," said Donnell Queen. "I loved him with all my heart.
We got to do something about this gun violence and violence period. There’s no reason why people should handle any type of conflict with a gun," he said.
Dann was also charged with felony burglary and criminal mischief stemming from a Feb. 24 incident. Police said Dann stayed after hours at the Atlantic Boulevard Academy Sports store. He attempted to steal multiple items but was thwarted by the locked glass door; He broke it with a mallet and cut himself, only stealing a beverage, the report said.
