Brother of arrested teen speaks with News4Jax

Elvis Sijamhodzic's brother talks about arrest

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – A Jacksonville man is sharing his frustration and disappointment after his younger brother was arrested and charged with attempted murder just a year after their father began serving a 12-year prison sentence.

Elvis Sijamhodzic, 18 was arrested after police said he and a 17-year old accomplice arranged to buy marijuana. 

They said Sijamhodzic pointed a gun at the victim, demanded the money and drugs, then fired shots at the victim as he ran off.


Sijamhodzic's father, Ismet Sijamhodzic, drove a car into a home in 2012 killing a Wolfson High School student as she slept in her bed. 

Investigators say Ismet Sijamhodzic had drugs in his system when he crashed into JaNay Jackson's house.


It's been a tough couple of years for the family. Alen Sijamhodzic said his brother has not been the same since their father went to prison.

He said Elvis was always a good student, and a great soccer player. Alen said he was close to getting a soccer scholarship to UNF. He believes his father going to prison played a role in what happened.

"We thought we was healing after my dad, but, there goes hell again. You know. It's tough. It's tough," Alen said.

Elvis Sijamhodzic is charged with attempted murder and armed robbery. Alen is heartbroken and confused.

"We weren't raised with guns, drugs, we weren't raised to shoot people. To rob people, we weren't raised like that. You know what I mean," Alen said.

Alen said his brother was always close to their father.

"His dad, my daddy, he always got him anything he wanted. He had anything. He had all the iPhones, the laptops, shoes, he was a good kid," Alen said.

After Ismet went to prison, Elvis and his mother moved out of Jacksonville and he transferred to Orange Park High School. Elvis' greatest passion was playing soccer, but suddenly he wasn't playing nearly as often. Sijamhodzic believes Elvis started hanging out with the wrong crowd and he became distant.

"He didn't communicate too much with me you know? I spoke to him maybe twice after my dad went to prison. He disappeared into the wind," Alen said.

Alen said as his family struggles to move forward with yet another setback, he plans to be there for his younger brother. He wishes now that he could have intervened.

"I wish, when my dad went to prison, Elvis and my other brother they would have come live with me. I would have led them on the right path. Stay in school, do your career of soccer," Alen said.

Alen also said he wants to find out the whole story about what happened Tuesday night and is looking to get his brother an attorney.


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.