JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a historic drop to 82 homicides reported in Jacksonville in 2024, the numbers ticked back up over 100 in 2025, including 11 fatal police-involved shootings.
But one number the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported was remarkably low: As of Dec. 9, only one of the city’s homicides was considered gang or group-affiliated, according to Sheriff T.K. Waters.
That one was among the most high-profile murders in Jacksonville last year: the shooting death of 7-year-old Breon Allen Jr. on Jan. 24 as he walked to a store with his cousin, who was also shot but survived.
Waters announced the “truly historical drop in gang-related deaths” during a news conference touting the accomplishments of JSO’s Narcotics and Vice Section.
“JSO uses a multifaceted approach to violence prevention. Breaking up illegal drug operations is an important piece of this strategy, (and) our approach is delivering unprecedented results,” Waters said during the news conference (press play above for a replay).
Waters acknowledged that even one murder is too many but said the department was encouraged by the low number of gang-related homicides in 2025.
News4JAX crime analyst Tom Hackney pointed out that “gang affiliation” statistics can be subjective.
“It’s good to see that there’s not that gang-related correlation between those numbers, but it’s still -- you could have people that aren’t quite certified that are hanging around with this group that haven’t met that criteria, that long list, that maybe they’re still related to it," Hackney cautioned.
Hackney agreed that the low number is encouraging, but stressed it’s crucial to keep those numbers down with the promise of downtown economic growth this year.
“You have that relationship between what the city’s perception is and that violent crime aspect, so it’s very important to the city, to its economic growth, to its reputation, to make sure that we’re known for good things,” Hackney said.
Making arrests
Of the 79 murder cases reported in Jacksonville, 44 have been cleared, according to JSO. That means either an arrest was made or the death was a result of a murder-suicide.
Among those “cleared” cases is Allen’s murder.
Shortly after the 7-year-old’s death, Waters promised swift justice for all those involved.
“Anyone who callously opens fire on a 7-year-old cannot be allowed to walk the streets of our city,” Waters said. “We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable.”
Since Allen’s death, four men and two teens were charged with murder in the case: Zharod Sykes, 24; Keith Johnson, 21; and Dannel Larkins, 20; Donte McGhee, 17; Tavaris Kelly, 17 and Keith Fields, 18.
JSO documents show they are affiliated with the notorious Jacksonville gang 6 Block.
Sykes pleaded guilty on June 24 to second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Kelly pleaded guilty on July 16 to second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and two gun charges.
McGhee, Fields, Larkins, and Johnson have pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in Allen’s shooting death. Larkins is also now facing murder charges for separate cases in 2023 and 2024.
Crunching the data
Allen’s deadly shooting happened in a part of Jacksonville notorious for high homicide numbers: ZIP code 32209, which includes areas like Northwest Jacksonville, Grand Park and Durkeeville.
In 2025, 12 homicides were reported in 32209, once again leading the way with 11% of the city’s homicides for the year. That’s similar to the number reported for the ZIP code in 2024.
But interestingly, several areas saw their number of homicides increase significantly:
- 32208 (North Shore, Panama Park, Sherwood Forest, Norwood, Lake Forest) had nine reported homicides, more than double the four reported in 2024
- 32206 (Phoenix, Eastside, Brentwood, Hogan’s Creek) had eight homicides reported in 2025
- 32216 (Southside, Secret Cove) saw its numbers increase from ZERO in 2024 to six homicides in 2025
- 32226 (Northside, Black Hammock Island) went from zero homicides in 2024 to four last year
- And the Baymeadows/Southside/Mandarin areas (32256 and 32257) went from a combined total of three homicides in 2024 to nine combined homicides in 2025
While most of the homicides in Jacksonville last year -- 77% (85) -- involved gun violence, notably, all four reported deaths in Downtown Jacksonville involved beatings. That includes the startling death of 64-year-old Roger Borkum, who police say was beaten to death by three teenagers, ages 13, 16 and 19.
Eight people were stabbed to death in 2025, and for 11 of the city’s homicides, the cause of death has not been released yet.
Along with the 79 murders reported in 2025, another 12 homicides were ruled justifiable, eight have not yet been classified, and 11 were fatal police shootings, bringing the total to 110 homicides last year.
Of the 79 murders, 17 involved women, with at least seven of those connected to domestic violence. Several of the deadly police-involved shootings in 2025 also began as calls related to domestic violence.
A cluster of women’s deaths in November also led to what police called false speculation about a possible serial killer in Jacksonville. JSO has repeatedly said the three murders are not connected.
Another number that was noticeably low in 2025: The number of children killed. Allen, 7, was one of only three victims under the age of 18. The other two were teenagers.
According to JSO records, though, eight teenagers were arrested for their alleged involvement in murders in 2025, including the two 17-year-olds charged in Allen’s death.