A chilling appeal for public assistance has been issued by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in the case of a triple murder that claimed the lives of three individuals, including a young child. In a Facebook post, the sheriff's office detailed the September 23, 2023, incident that resulted in the deaths of 3-year-old Kae’lynn Matthews, Keonte Johnson, 24, and Jaquann Mitchell, 23, at the JTB Apartments on Jacksonville’s Southside. The post, published yesterday, reveals the JSO's ongoing efforts to solve the case, highlighting the latest development of a $13,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the victims were found after officers responded to a shooting at the apartment complex. Kae’lynn’s mother had been present to quickly drop off a dog and meet with the victims. The post states, "Detectives determined that Kae’lynn’s mother had traveled to the apartment to meet the victims and drop off a dog." It goes on to report that, "Shortly after her arrival, multiple suspects opened fire on the group before speeding off in a black vehicle." The suspects' vehicle—a black Kia Optima—was later discovered burned on Jacksonville’s Northside, and it was connected to this case among other incidents in the city.
The Sheriff's Office has described the crime as "heartless" and emphasizes that crucial details are still missing to bring the perpetrators to justice. The community is being directly addressed in the hopes that someone with knowledge of the truth will come forward. "This was a heartless crime. Someone out there knows who did this. If you have information, do the right thing," the post pleads. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office strongly believes that there are individuals in the community with the information necessary to complete the puzzle of this heinous act.
A tangible incentive for potential informants, the generous $13,000 reward serves as an impetus to break the silence. The Sheriff's Office is urging those who wish to remain anonymous to still contribute by calling First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477). The urgency conveyed by the sheriff's office to solve the case reflects the gravity and the horrific nature of the crime. "We will not stop until these killers are held accountable," the post concludes, signaling an unwavering commitment to seeking justice for the victims and their families.
