JACKSONVILLE, Fla — A vigil was held in Macclenny for Alex Karagiannopoulos, a 21-year-old who was shot and killed inside his home on Saturday night.
“All every one of us in this yard has known Alex at least 20 years. We’ve been in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts together,” Dustin Sheppard said.
Sheppard, one of Karagiannopoulos’ friends was inside the house when police say Michael Hand walked in and shot Karagiannopoulos.
“He needs justice, Alex needs to have this guy brought in. I mean the man came in and shot him in his own house,” Sheppard said.
JSO announced on Tuesday their investigation revealed this was a drug transaction that ended up deadly.
The armed suspect was a convicted felon since 2004.
Hand has been charged with Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Meanwhile, friends gathered at Memorial Park in Macclenny to celebrate Karagiannopoulos’ life.
“People need to know how Alex was loved, this was his family,” Sheppard said.
Karagiannopoulos’ funeral will be held at Ferreira Funeral Home on Monday.
Michael Hand, the suspect in the murder, is being held without bond.