On September 29, 2018, Joseph Sapp, a 26-year-old resident of Fort White, Florida, tragically lost his life in a violent altercation. The incident occurred at the Three Rivers boat ramp located at 1102 SW Santa Fe Drive. According to reports, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office received a late-night 911 call reporting an altercation and subsequent shooting at the location.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered two men with gunshot wounds: Joseph Sapp, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and Joshua Brown, 27, who was critically injured and later airlifted to a Gainesville hospital. A third individual, David Scheel, 57, was present at the scene with minor injuries not related to a firearm.
The initial investigation revealed that the three men were involved in an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation, culminating in the shooting. Witnesses reported hearing the men arguing before the shots were fired. A handgun was recovered at the scene, and David Scheel was identified as the shooter. Scheel was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and subsequently transported to the Sheriff's Operation Center for questioning. Following the interview, Scheel was arrested and charged with one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of firing a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, and one count of criminal mischief. He was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility without bond.
The investigation into Joseph Sapp's death was described as active and ongoing, with detectives working to uncover the full details of the altercation and the events leading up to the shooting. The motive behind the argument remained unclear, and authorities continued to gather evidence and interview witnesses to piece together the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. The case drew significant attention in the normally peaceful community of Fort White, highlighting the devastating impact of violence and the importance of thorough investigative work in seeking justice for the victims and their families.
