Tyler Getchell has been sentenced to seven years in state prison for shooting his neighbor, Kyle McFarlane, in a case that members of Jacksonville’s LGBTQ+ community have described as a hate crime.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man who shot his neighbor and left him partially paralyzed has received a seven-year prison sentence, after a case that drew outrage from LGBTQ+ advocates who said the attack was motivated by hate.
Tyler Getchell, 30, pleaded guilty on May 4 to a reduced charge of attempted manslaughter, according to court records. He had originally faced a charge of attempted murder in the shooting of 24-year-old Kyle McFarlane. Ahead of sentencing, Getchell’s attorneys submitted a 119-page memorandum asking the court for a downward departure, arguing that he had no prior felony convictions, served five years in the Navy, expressed remorse and stayed at the scene after the shooting.
In a Facebook post, McFarlane said Getchell could face additional time if he does not pay restitution for medical bills and care. The sentence also includes post-release requirements, including mental health follow-up and an order barring contact with McFarlane or his family.
“7 years prison. 2 years community service. 3 years probation. Restitution. You will, indeed, have a long time to think about what you did,” McFarlane wrote on the evening of the July 17 sentencing by Judge London Kite. “I turned to watch you be taken away. Think about that. One day perhaps, we can be on better terms. I don’t hate you, Tyler Getchell. I hate your behavior.”
What happened to Kyle McFarlane?
The shooting took place on the afternoon of Nov. 22, 2025, on Green Street in Jacksonville’s Murray Hill neighborhood.
According to an arrest report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, McFarlane and a friend told investigators they were gathering discarded furniture near his home for a bonfire when neighbors came outside and began yelling at them to leave the property.
The confrontation escalated into an argument. Getchell’s girlfriend, Cathy Ann McGinnis, then walked toward McFarlane while holding a belt, the report says. McFarlane acknowledged pushing her because he believed she was about to attack him. Moments later, he heard a gunshot and collapsed after being shot in the back by Getchell, according to the arrest report.
McFarlane provided a video that captured part of the altercation. The video shows him standing on the easement of the property, closer to Green Street, and not on the sidewalk for the entire duration of the recording. McGinnis is seen walking toward him while holding a large leather belt. She can be heard stating, “If you don’t get off my property, I’ll beat your ass with this,” the report states.
McFarlane is observed walking backward, in the direction of his residence, while continuing to argue. Getchell then steps between him and McGinnis, repeatedly telling McFarlane to get off his property. The victim responds by saying “OK” while continuing to walk backward. The video ends abruptly.
The other witness with McFarlane stated that he was carrying an axe to chop the wood and furniture, but emphasized that at no time did he raise the axe or hold it in a manner that could be perceived as threatening. He acknowledged that he exchanged heated words with the suspect. However, when the suspect threatened, “I will shoot you if you don’t get off my property,” he realized the confrontation would not de-escalate and began walking away before hearing a gunshot.
Getchell told detectives he was inside his residence when he heard a loud noise outside. He observed the victim and the victim’s friend rummaging through the trash belonging to his neighbor. They began to argue, and although Getchell acknowledged that the victim was standing only on the easement adjacent to his property, he considered the victim to be trespassing. So he went inside to retrieve his firearm.
When he returned, he said McGinnis was on the sidewalk arguing with the victim. Getchell said he attempted to separate the two, but the victim shoved him aside and began attacking McGinnis. He also said he saw the victim reaching toward his waistband or pocket, so he shot him and instructed his girlfriend to call 911.
A prior anti-gay history
After Getchell was arrested on scene, McFarlane filed an injunction for protection against stalking by McGinnis.
“For weeks before 11/22/25, Respondent and her husband/boyfriend, Tyler Getchell, posted antigay signs in their window and had entered Petitioner’s property on several occasions to smear dog feces on Petitioner’s home. On at least one occasioin, Respondent and Getchell illegally entered Petitioner’s gated backyard and put Petitioner’s dogs in a hot garage without water and then smeared dog feces on the back of Petitioner’s home.”
The document proceeded: “Respondent and her husband/boyfriend, Tyler Getchell, hate gay people and intimidated Petitioner to the point that he feared for his life before 11/22/25, and had installed a security camera days before facing Respondent’s home. Additional security cameras were purchased by Petitioner before 11/22/25 because of his fear of his safety and were delivered the morning of 11/22/25 but not yet installed.”
McFarlane suffered complications from his wound because the bullet was lodged in his spine. A GoFundMe in December state he is “steadily recovering and is overwhelmed with appreciation for all of the support he has received.”
