JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Almost a year and a half ago, Gabriel Devoe was shot and killed in the Arlington neighborhood. Tonight, the Justice Coalition held a candlelight vigil to honor him, and to call for justice.
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No suspect has been identified in this case, and family members are crying out for someone to come forward. They even put up a build board to help get answers.
“There is justice for Gabriele John Devoe, there is justice for Gabriel John Devoe,” those who gathered chanted at tonight’s vigil.
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Rose Devoe is Gabriel Devoe’s mom. Every night, she and her family repeat this seven times at 7 p.m. because seven was a special number for her son.
“Perfection and completion, that’s what it means,” Rose said. “Well, he wore number seven on his back and no other number. There was only number seven at that point. And strangely enough, somewhere around the hours of 7-o-clock, someone took the life of our beloved son and brother.”
Rose says Gabriel was a miracle baby. He was one of three children, but he was their first and only son. Doctors said he didn’t have a heartbeat and determined they needed to terminate the pregnancy to save Rose’s life. After the surgery, she thought he was gone, but she says God had other plans, and Gabriel survived.
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“Gabriel, you can only imagine,” Rose said. “Our miracle baby, our surprise baby, he changed our lives.”
But on November 2, 2022, 23-year-old Gabriel Devoe took his last breath. After police say he was shot multiple times at the Caroline Village Apartments in Arlington. And still today, there are no arrests
“We are going to find those who murdered him - if it is the last thing I do,” Gabriel’s dad, John Devoe said.
Dozens of people came together tonight at Higher Definition Church to pray for answers and to remember Gabriel’s light.
“We cry a lot, and tonight we want to smile,” Rose said.
David Sutton grew up with Gabriel -- they graduated from high school and played football together.
“He was perfect in every aspect of the game, he loved it,” Sutton said. “And so, this memorial was just a small testament of what he really meant to us.”
Organizations like First Coast Crime Stoppers and M.A.D D.A.D.S came out to show their support and demand for answers.
“We have to touch every corner, we have to go to every single neighborhood,” A.J Jordan with M.A.D D.A.D.S said.
There is a $15,000 reward for answers.
Again, if you know anything, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477) and remain anonymous, or call JSO at 904-650-0500.
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