12-year-old pleads not guilty to killing homeless man No description found
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 12-year-old boy accused of shooting and killing a 54-year-old homeless man in a Westside parking lot pleaded not guilty Tuesday in juvenile court.
Sharron Townsend is charged with murder in the death of Thomas Trent, who was found dead at a vacant business in the 7400 block of 103rd Street about 7:20 a.m. June 28. Police said Townsend shot Trent one time in the head.
Police said Townsend admitted to shooting Trent with a .22-caliber gun.
Investigators said Townsend and Trent did not know each other, and the killing appears to be random. Police said Trent was not robbed. Townsend did have one prior arrest on a burglary charge.
His next pretrial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7.
Copyright 2014 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Duval County School Board adds Schools of Hope to legislative agenda amid parent concerns ▶ 0:50
Duval County School Board adds Schools of Hope to legislative agenda amid parent concerns
‘He’ll be missed’: Family of bicyclist killed in hit-and-run pleads for witnesses to come forward ▶ 0:51
‘He’ll be missed’: Family of bicyclist killed in hit-and-run pleads for witnesses to come forward
Raines Vikings celebrated at DCPS school board meeting ▶ 0:58
Raines Vikings celebrated at DCPS school board meeting
Westside apartment complex again under scrutiny as residents report squatters, safety concerns ▶ 0:36
Westside apartment complex again under scrutiny as residents report squatters, safety concerns
2 separate police-involved shootings leave one man dead, one injured ▶ 0:57
2 separate police-involved shootings leave one man dead, one injured
Start your new year off right with these events from Jan. 9 - 11 ▶ 1:04
Start your new year off right with these events from Jan. 9 - 11
Start 2026 with purpose: Volunteer for United Way Northeast Florida’s MLK Day of Service ▶ 0:30
Start 2026 with purpose: Volunteer for United Way Northeast Florida’s MLK Day of Service
Man killed in officer-involved shooting in Bartram Park area ▶ 1:24
Man killed in officer-involved shooting in Bartram Park area
Community rallies behind Middleburg teacher after she lost a decade of work in a fire ▶ 1:04
Community rallies behind Middleburg teacher after she lost a decade of work in a fire
Meet the man behind Trevor Lawrence’s viral gifted grillz after game win ▶ 1:17
Meet the man behind Trevor Lawrence’s viral gifted grillz after game win
Light Weight: Jaguars fan goes viral after squatting Trevor Lawrence at local bar ▶ 1:01
Light Weight: Jaguars fan goes viral after squatting Trevor Lawrence at local bar
Richard's Swing Makeover: Final assembly & first swing test! ▶ 1:29
Richard's Swing Makeover: Final assembly & first swing test!
Northeast Florida agencies, advocates, survivors work to expose, stop human trafficking ▶ 1:17
Northeast Florida agencies, advocates, survivors work to expose, stop human trafficking
DeSantis on Maduro's capture ▶ 0:46
DeSantis on Maduro's capture
President Donald Trump says the US will 'run' Venezuela, announces capture of Maduro and his wife ▶ 0:52
President Donald Trump says the US will 'run' Venezuela, announces capture of Maduro and his wife
Navy sailors accused of getting paid thousands to marry Chinese nationals who wanted legal status ▶ 1:05
Navy sailors accused of getting paid thousands to marry Chinese nationals who wanted legal status
Friends march from Jacksonville to D.C to advocate for social welfare programs, address homelessness ▶ 0:43
Friends march from Jacksonville to D.C to advocate for social welfare programs, address homelessness
Start 2026 With Purpose: Volunteer on MLK Day of Service With United Way Northeast Florida ▶ 0:30
Start 2026 With Purpose: Volunteer on MLK Day of Service With United Way Northeast Florida
Bracing for weekend storms ▶ 0:40
Bracing for weekend storms
Jacksonville residents share their 2026 New Year's resolutions ▶ 1:15
Jacksonville residents share their 2026 New Year's resolutions
Owner of stolen Jacksonville food trailer says he's working to get it operational ▶ 0:32
Owner of stolen Jacksonville food trailer says he's working to get it operational
6-week-old baby dips her toes in water for Polar Plunge at Jacksonville Beach ▶ 0:15
6-week-old baby dips her toes in water for Polar Plunge at Jacksonville Beach
Meteorologist Katie Garner tracks rain through the weekend ▶ 0:55
Meteorologist Katie Garner tracks rain through the weekend
3 separate shootings in Jacksonville during New Year's celebrations in Jacksonville ▶ 0:57
3 separate shootings in Jacksonville during New Year's celebrations in Jacksonville
Fernandina Beach drops the shrimp to celebrate New Year's ▶ 1:54
Fernandina Beach drops the shrimp to celebrate New Year's
Previous photo Next photo 