On the evening of August 1, 2019, Jovan Leonard Richo, a 42-year-old resident of Fernandina Beach, Florida, was tragically killed in a shooting incident. The incident occurred around 7:22 p.m. at the intersection of South 9th and Elm Streets. According to reports, a gunman, identified as 32-year-old Zachary Verdier Jamison, drove up to a group of people, exited his vehicle, and fired four rounds into the crowd. Richo was the only person struck by the gunfire.
He was initially transported to Baptist Nassau and later flown to UF Health Jacksonville in serious condition, where he succumbed to his injuries just before midnight.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the shooting was preceded by a verbal altercation among a group of women, with Richo nearby. Several witnesses saw Jamison get out of a gray vehicle and point a black handgun at the crowd, causing people to scatter. Richo was hit in the arm, and the bullet traveled into his chest. Family members described Richo as a quiet, smiling individual who was trying to push others out of harm's way when he was shot. Investigators believe that the shooting was an act of retaliation for a dispute that had occurred earlier in the day. Richo and Jamison were known to each other, having grown up in the same community.
Following the shooting, Jamison was located at his home by Nassau County Sheriff's Office deputies and taken into custody for questioning. He denied being at the scene, handling a gun, or shooting anyone. Despite his denial, Jamison was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault. He was booked into Nassau County Jail early the following morning. The case drew significant attention as it was the first homicide in Fernandina Beach since 2016, when another relative of Richo, 67-year-old Johnell Richo, was shot and killed in a separate incident that remains unsolved.
The community of Fernandina Beach, known for its close-knit nature, was deeply affected by the loss of Jovan Leonard Richo. His family and friends remembered him as a peaceful individual who did not cause trouble and often spoke about making positive changes in life. The arrest of Jamison provided some measure of comfort to Richo's family, but the senseless nature of the violence left a lasting impact on those who knew him. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continued, with law enforcement officials working to piece together the events that led to the tragic loss of life.
