Jeffrey Morrow Jr., a 21-year-old man from Lakeland, FL, was tragically killed on the night of September 4, 2016. Jeffrey, who had recently moved to Polk County from Pennsylvania, was accompanying a friend to the Family Dollar store on South Combee Road in Lakeland. The purpose of their visit was to sell an iPhone that Jeffrey's friend had advertised on the "LetGo" app.
The transaction, however, took a fatal turn.
Upon arriving at the store's parking lot, an unknown black male, later identified as Victor Manns Jr., approached the vehicle. Manns, 25 years old, stole the item from Jeffrey's friend and fled the scene. Jeffrey and his friend attempted to chase Manns, with Jeffrey carrying a shotgun. During the pursuit, Manns fired multiple shots, striking Jeffrey four times, including a fatal shot to the face. Jeffrey was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after the incident.
The investigation led to the arrest of Victor Manns Jr., who was charged with first-degree murder, armed burglary of a conveyance, robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Manns had a history of using the "LetGo" app to commit similar crimes, having previously robbed two other victims. The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted a thorough investigation, and Manns was taken into custody shortly after the shooting.
The case garnered significant attention, with Sheriff Judd holding a press conference to update the public on the investigation. The tragic death of Jeffrey Morrow Jr. highlighted the dangers associated with online sales transactions and the importance of taking precautions when meeting strangers for such exchanges. The community mourned the loss of a young man whose life was cut short by senseless violence.
