Murder suspect tracked to Chicago, arrested, police say

Man, 36, accused of shooting, killing man over money

Previous booking photo of Rico Mitchell

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting death and robbery of a 54-year-old Jacksonville man last November in the Hogan's Creek area, the sheriff's office announced Friday.

Rico Mitchell is charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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He was captured by U.S. marshals in Chicago and will be extradited to Jacksonville, Lt. Steve Gallaher said.

Mitchell is accused of shooting and killing 54-year-old Curtis Young Jr. on Nov. 14 on the sidewalk outside Young's home.

Gallaher said witnesses told police Young was talking with a friend near 16th and Market streets when Mitchell walked up, pulled a revolver and demanded money.

The witnesses said Young raised his hands, said “No, don't do it,” but Mitchell pulled the trigger and shot Young in chest.

After Young collapsed to the ground, Mitchell searched his is pockets, stole his money and then fled the scene, police said.

Young died of his injuries at UF Health.

"The investigation has led to the belief that he had come into a sum of money, so it was kind of known in the neighborhood that he did have some money, and that's most likely the motive for it," Gallaher said.

Police identified Mitchell as the shooter after multiple witness accounts, and he was tracked to Chicago and arrested by the marshals on May 4.

Mitchell has been arrested 18 times before in Jacksonville, mostly for misdemeanor offenses. He was arrested three times for possession of cocaine, but had no previous arrests for violence.