Telan Mann, a 19-year-old from Daytona Beach, Florida, tragically lost his life on June 23, 2022. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 2 a.m., when police officers patrolling near Oak Tree Circle and Forest Glen Boulevard heard gunfire. Upon arrival, they discovered Mann's body lying on a sidewalk, riddled with bullets. The investigation revealed that Mann had been shot multiple times, including seven shots to the body, one to the heel, and a grazing shot to the
thigh. The fatal encounter was a result of a premeditated act of violence.
The investigation into Mann's death led to the arrest of Jakari Webb, also 19 at the time. Webb had used a deceptive tactic known as "catfishing" to lure Mann to the location where the shooting occurred. Webb had created a fake online persona using photos from an Instagram account of a semi-professional basketball player. Through this false identity, Webb communicated with Mann and arranged a meeting. On the night of the incident, Webb hid behind a grassy berm before emerging and shooting Mann.
Webb was apprehended by the Daytona Beach Police Department after an extensive investigation that included reviewing over 100 hours of surveillance footage from nearby businesses and institutions, such as Bethune-Cookman University. The footage helped track Webb's movements before and after the shooting. Webb was arrested at a home on Garden Street, a few miles from the crime scene, where a handgun was also recovered.
Following his arrest, Webb was charged with first-degree murder. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence linking Webb to the crime, including text messages between Webb and Mann found on Mann's cellphone and surveillance footage showing Webb's movements. Despite the defense's attempts to challenge the evidence, Webb was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case was described by the State Attorney as a clear example of premeditation, highlighting the deliberate nature of Webb's actions.
The tragic death of Telan Mann and the subsequent legal proceedings underscore the severe consequences of online deception and violence. The case also brought attention to the potential for hate crime charges, as there were discussions about Webb's motive being related to fear of being outed due to Mann's openness about his sexuality. This aspect of the case highlighted the ongoing issues of prejudice and violence faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
