Family, friends and neighbors are mourning the loss of a Jacksonville father.
He was shot and killed on Jacksonville’s Northwest side over the weekend.
JSO has not identified the victim, but family and friends confirmed it was Derrick Hartley.
Tonight, Action News Jax learned JSO has a suspect in custody for Hartley’s murder.
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The suspect is being identified as 40-year-old William Clyde Broadnax.
Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole spoke to one of Hartley's friends, who says he's heartbroken.
"I was heartbroken. I couldn't believe it. I had to make sure that was him,” said Corey Brown, a friend of Hartley's.
Hartley, a father of five, was shot and killed in the area of West 35th Street and Moncrief Road.
"This is the second friend I've lost in a week. It's sad that it had that way you know? Or even happen period,” Brown said.
JSO responded to a shooting call around 9:50 p.m. on Saturday night.
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When they arrived, along with JFRD, they found Hartley with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds.
He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
According to Homicide Unit, the Hartley and the suspect got into a verbal dispute as both were leaving a local establishment.
Investigators say the dispute escalated and turned physical. During the altercation, JSO says the suspect took out a gun and shot Hartley several times.
Then the suspect ran before officers arrived.
JSO says it was with the help of several witnesses they were able to arrest Broadnax.
Cole asked Brown if Hartley had any enemies. He said:
“If it was someone that knew him, they wouldn't have had the heart to do this.”
Brown described Hartley as a family man—who loved to pour back into the community.
"Derrick is a family man. He liked to have fun...I just hate he's gone, you know?" #NEXT on @ActionNewsJax at 5:00, I'm speaking to a friend of Derrick Hartley, the father of 5 killed on Saturday. Witnesses told JSO they believe an argument happened before the deadly shooting. pic.twitter.com/riBGYaviZr
— Courtney Cole (@CourtneyANJax) April 1, 2019
Working as a Realtor at Trinity Real Estate III was one of the ways he was able to do that.
“He's helped a lot of people achieve the American dream as far as buying a home. And you'll see a lot of that on Facebook. He's closing people, five and six times a week,” Brown said.
Brown says as the investigation continues, he's praying for peace and closure for the family.
“My heart goes out to his family and his kids.”
JSO is still asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them right away at 904-630-0500 or email them at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
Cox Media Group
