JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The friends of a Jacksonville man say they are heartbroken after he was killed, allegedly at the hands of his own brother.
Ryan Daniels, 30, was found stabbed and bleeding on the front porch of a home on Davis Road near Finley Road in the Oceanway area Saturday. Despite efforts to save his life, Daniels died at a local hospital, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. His brother, 38-year-old Eric Mincey, was arrested Sunday and charged with murder.
‘The best leader’
One of Daniel’s friends Sonnie Blanco described Daniels as someone who would give everything he had to the people he loved.
“He’s one of, you know, how to say somebody that gave you the last shirt off their back. He’s one. That’s that’s Ryan right. There was a great leader,” Blanco said.
That leadership extended beyond friendship — it showed up on the football field, too.
“Football was like his main sport. But yeah, just such a great leader,” Blanco said.
Blanco laughed recalling just how physical Daniels could be during backyard games growing up.
“I always laugh…when we were coming up where we would be playing football in the backyard, you know, like a backyard football. Ryan was always a quarterback because he hit hard,” he said.
A father, a friend, a brother
To Blanco, Daniels was family. But Daniels also had a family of his own — including a daughter he adored.
“He had a little girl. It’s actually really special. So her birthday is actually the day before mine. So we always thought I was so unique. Where her birthday is December 31st, in January 1st. And it was, like, two of your best people, you know? Yeah, but, yeah, you had a beautiful daughter that he loved,” Blanco said.
When asked how he hopes Daniels will be remembered, Blanco’s answer was simple.
“To be honest with you. I would say just the kindness,” he said.
Brother charged with murder
Daniels died Saturday night after first responders attempted to save his life.
Detectives identified Mincey as the attacker after reviewing evidence and speaking with witnesses, JSO said.
“Our hearts are with Daniels’ loved ones, and we will continue to seek justice for him,” JSO said in a statement.
Mincey is currently being held in Duval County Jail on a murder charge.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Daniels’ family as they work to bring him back to his home state of New Jersey.