JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 23-year-old man, who police said was killed by his girlfriend's brother this week following an argument, was a funny and loving father of two young children, family said Wednesday.
John White was found shot to death Monday inside a Northside home, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Andrew Morgan, 24, is charged with murder in his death, JSO Lt. Steve Gallaher announced the following day.
Brandon Ross, White's cousin, said the family is now left with memories and a message -- asking for people to put down their weapons and settle their differences with words.
"Go home, instead of settling differences and both of y'all lose everything and hurt two different families," Ross said. "Put the guns down. I like the movement 'Guns down, gloves up' -- that type of stuff. Anything that keeps somebody alive."
Ross said he and White were really close and had a bond like no other.
"Nobody understands. When I had nothing, I had my cousin," he said. "It still feels unreal, honestly."
Ross told News4Jax that when he learned of his cousin's death, his heart shattered.
"When I heard it, it really actually broke my heart because I was just with him," he said. "Sunday afternoon -- about 12-1 o'clock -- that was the last time I saw him."
Police said White used to live in the home on Elsa Drive, in the Conifer Ridge subdivision off Biscayne Boulevard, just south of Interstate 295. He was asked to move out last August by his girlfriend's father.
His girlfriend, who's also the mother of Morgan's 4-year-old son and newborn daughter, and her brother also live in the home.
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White returned there Monday to retrieve some personal belongings, and his 23-year-old girlfriend, whose name has not been released, asked him to stay for a while, police said.
Gallaher said that when Morgan awoke around 10 a.m. and found White inside the home, he became agitated, retrieved a 9mm handgun and began threatening White. The two argued across the kitchen counter, and White challenged Morgan, saying he wouldn't shoot. Morgan eventually fired several times at White, killing him, Gallaher said.
White had played basketball at First Coast High School and loved to make people laugh, Ross said.
"It was his time. And God don't do nothing without a purpose or a plan," he said.
Ross said his family is trying to remain strong as they prepare for White's funeral. As for his children, Ross said, they will remain in their mother's custody.