Relative: Killer was waiting on victim

Police looking for whoever killed 25-year-old in East Arlington

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The brother-in-law of a 25-year-old man found dead on an East Arlington road on Saturday morning says whoever killed him must have been waiting for him.

Jose Enrique Pabon-Caballero's body was found in the middle of North Kernan Boulevard near Ashley Melisse Boulevard, just five miles from where he lived. Police initially believed his death was the result of a hit-and-run, but later determined it was not.

They have not said how he died, but are actively looking for his killer.

Pabon-Caballero's brother-in-law said Pabon-Caballero's life was threatened last month. He said a man told him he was going to kill him for having an ongoing relationship with his wife.

Pabon-Caballero was a golf course maintenance worker in Mayport. He was last seen leaving work around 8 a.m. Saturday and was found dead an hour later.

The victim's brother-in-law said the killer must have been "waiting for him."

Police are looking for a black SUV (pictured, below) they consider a suspect vehicle. It was seen pulling into Waterleaf Elementary School on Kernan Road about 7:30 a.m. Police said they located another vehicle that they were searching for that was somehow involved in the crime.

Investigators said that even though they don't yet have a suspect in custody, they don't believe there is any threat to people who live in the neighborhood. They believe those involved was just driving by that area at the time of the killing.

Several people came to Pabon-Caballero's aid after he was dumped out of a car onto Kernan Boulevard, including an off-duty St. Johns County paramedic who tried to revive him with CPR.

Al Warner, who lives nearby, was one of the first people to come across Pabon-Caballero.

"I couldn't tell if he had been shot. My first reaction was that he had been hit by a car," Warner said. "When I got there, it was clear, and even though I don't have any medical experience, I could tell this man was very hurt and it did not look good."

Anyone who has any information about Pabon-Caballero's death is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000, call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.


About the Author:

Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.