Family of man found dead in Moncrief home begs for answers

Co-worker finds man shot in West 23rd Street house, police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A family is pleading for anyone with information to come forward after a Jacksonville man was found shot and killed Wednesday morning inside his home in Moncrief.

Police were called to West 23rd Street around 8 a.m. to investigate. They said a co-worker came by to pick the man up for work, and when the man didn't answer, the co-worker went inside and found him dead.

Neighbors said they never heard any gunshots.

Police have not released the man's name, but a man who said he was the victim's cousin identified him as Thomas "TJ" Daniels.

Robert Richardson said Daniels had some challenges in life and run-ins with the law but his family is devastated over his loss.Family  said Daniels and his girlfriend were expecting a child together.

"Not going to say he was a perfect man, but what I can say is -- it's a life gone. It's another life gone," Richardson said. “It’s just sad. Every day there is a murder -- every freaking day. I mean, it is crazy.”

Nathalie Chase Thompson, another cousin of Daniels, said the senseless violence and code of silence causes a domino effect. She’s hoping someone with information speaks up, so her family can have closure. 

“It’s sad because in times like these everybody is hush mouth, everybody is close-mouthed,” Thompson said. “We are just the people that destroy people and until we begin to have a heart of compassion, it is going to continue .”

Marvin Allen worked with the man at Total Line Solutions but was not the co-worker who found him dead.

“He’s a real good dude. It just hurts me to the fact that I was just talking to him yesterday. And all of a sudden, he’s gone," Allen said. “I miss him very much and it hurts me to my heart.”

Detectives canvassed the neighborhood and checked for video surveillance. No suspect information was provided.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.


About the Authors:

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