Family of man found dead outside Westside strip club seeks justice

Donnell Joseph found dead in parking lot of Silver Fox Gentleman's Club

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The family of a 22-year-old man found dead outside the Silver Fox Gentleman's Club last weekend on the Westside is looking for justice.

Donnell Joseph's mother and friend spoke Thursday to News4Jax, pleading with anyone to come forward with information.

Beverly Joseph, the mother of Donnell Joseph, is still in pain just days after her son was found dead outside the gentleman's club.

"It's devastating for me to be woken up at 4:45 in the morning, telling me something has happened to my baby boy," she said. "It's like when they told me, a piercing in my heart. It's like someone took something and just ... that's how I've been feeling."

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said shots were fired around 2:30 a.m. Saturday at the club on West Beaver Street. Donnell Joseph was found dead in the parking lot.

Police said the circumstances leading up to Donnell Joseph's death are unknown, but it is being investigated as a homicide.

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Donnell Joseph's friend, Cliff Brown, said the killing was senseless, and he's hoping the community can come together to cut down on crime.

"Emotional, just sickened because of the fact violence is going on in Jacksonville. It's ridiculous how we as people can't come together," Cliff said.

But in the meantime, Donnell Joseph's mother is preparing to bury her son and waiting for his killer to be caught.

"I feel in my heart as a mother that justice will be done through God himself," said Beverly Joseph. "You know, you might have gotten away from what you have done, and nobody might be coming forward to tell us what really happened. But we have one person who knows what happened. He sits high and looks low. You haven't gotten away from him."

If you know anything that could help police with this case, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.


About the Authors:

Emmy-nominated journalist Kristin Cason joined the News 6 team in June 2016.