Police are charging Dontay Taylor with murder after he allegedly shot his girlfriend’s father during a domestic dispute in Jacksonville.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 24-year-old man from Jacksonville has been accused of murder after allegedly shooting his girlfriend’s father during a domestic incident last month. The victim survived initially but passed away last Wednesday, prompting the charges to be elevated.
The incident occurred on August 7, when police officers were called to a shooting on Ahmad Drive near West 45th Street. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, they discovered 50-year-old Derrick Griffin with several gunshot wounds to his chest and leg. Investigators suspect Griffin was attempting to intervene in an altercation between his daughter and her boyfriend, Dontay Taylor, when Taylor allegedly fired shots.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the shooting started outside the house and proceeded inside. Griffin was quickly transported to the hospital by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, surviving initially but remaining in critical condition.
Authorities stated that Taylor escaped the scene on foot. However, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Task Force, he was captured on August 25 and initially charged with attempted murder and illegal firearm possession, due to his status as a convicted felon.
Griffin succumbed to his injuries on September 7. Following a review of the case, the State Attorney’s Office decided to elevate the charges against Taylor to murder.
Taylor, who was already being held in the Duval County Jail, was served with the additional warrant for murder. He remains in custody.
