JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After 10 months of agony, an arrest has been made in the murder of Darnell Wilson. The 44-year-old father of three was shot and killed in his home on Roanoke Boulevard in February.
Thirty nine-year-old Tamar Way was arrested in connection to Wilson’s death. He is charged with second degree murder and home invasion robbery with a firearm. Detectives identified him through evidence that was analyzed at the scene.
Wilson’s son, Darnell Wilson, Jr., got the call he has been waiting for from detectives on Wednesday night.
“It was an emotional rollercoaster, but I put my faith in God. I trusted detective Ty,” his son said. “He called me like seven times, but I didn’t know the number. I finally picked up, and we had a conversation. I cried.”
While an arrest has been made, police believe there are still other suspects involved.
“It feels good. It’s like a slight hump off the back. It’s better than nothing, so I’ll take that,” his son said.
Almost a year later, Darnell Jr. and Wilson’s sister, Melanese, still miss the man they say was loved by the community.
“Guidance and respect,” his son said. “My father lead me on the right path of life.
Wilson’s sister said she missed everything about him.
“I miss his smile, his laugh, his jokiness, playing with the kids, my grandkids,” she said.
Their family has been seeking justice since the murder, and have worked with MAD DADS Jacksonville chapter. Outreach coordinator A.J. Jordan encourages all families, who lost loved ones to violence, to keep their name alive.
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“Stay involved, stay active, call your detective, always call out your relatives name wherever you’re at ... You never know who may know something about what happened,” he said.
While they both want the other suspects caught, Melanese said this arrest means everything to their family.
“I’m just overjoyed. It was one of my Christmas gifts that I wanted: to have somebody arrested before this year was over with, and my wish came true,” she said.
Way was also arrested on several unrelated charges in a different case from November, accused of trying to escape police. A police report said after the chase came to a stop, he got out of the car with a gun in his hand, threw it and jumped off a bridge about 35-feet-high.
His next court date is Jan. 18.
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