The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has made significant strides in a murder case from April 2022 at a Westside apartment complex. Two men, Alfredo Reyes, 20, and Timothy Elder, 23, have been arrested in connection with the murder of 18-year-old Shawn Johnson at the Palm Trace Apartments on 103rd Street.
Johnson, who was acquainted with both Reyes and Elder, was fatally shot during what was reported as a gun transaction. In a crucial development, Reyes, the primary suspect, is accused of shooting Johnson, while Elder faces charges of being an accessory after the fact.
As per the investigation, Reyes had contacted Johnson to arrange a meeting, ostensibly for a gun transaction, and had Elder accompany him. Upon police arrival at the scene, they found Johnson wounded but still alive. Despite the immediate medical attention and efforts to save his life, Johnson tragically succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
A poignant detail emerged in the investigation when Johnson, before passing away, identified his assailant to the police officers as “my friend Fredo.” This statement played a pivotal role in directing the investigation towards Reyes.
Further cementing the suspicions, a warrant for Reyes’ phone records placed him at the crime scene. Although Reyes admitted to being present, he denied being the shooter. In a significant turn of events, Elder, who was arrested in Texas in November 2023, told detectives that Reyes was the one who shot Johnson.
Reyes, who was already in Duval County jail on unrelated robbery charges, has now been served an arrest warrant for second-degree murder. This case highlights the complexities of criminal investigations and the importance of gathering and corroborating evidence to bring justice to the victims and their families.