Michael Felton Wright, a 62-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on March 27, 2016, in Jacksonville, Florida. Wright, who also went by the name Michael F. Muhammad after converting to Islam, was found dead in an outdoor stairwell at the Hollybrook Homes Apartments, a gated complex where he lived and worked as a security guard.
The incident occurred around 10:05 a.m., and Wright's death was a result of a targeted shooting.
The investigation into Wright's death revealed that he was a key witness in a case involving Quintae Davouris Hudson, a 27-year-old Jacksonville man. Hudson had been in jail since October 2014, awaiting trial for throwing a garden stone through the window of a car, injuring a 9-year-old girl inside. This incident took place at the same apartment complex where Wright worked. Wright, along with two other acquaintances, had provided information to the police implicating Hudson in the attack.
Hudson, who had a prior conviction for armed robbery, faced significant prison time due to his criminal history. While in jail, Hudson orchestrated a plan to eliminate Wright to prevent him from testifying in court. He made multiple phone calls to associates, demanding that Wright be "taken care of." As the trial date approached, Hudson became increasingly desperate, insisting that Wright could not be bribed and would need to be dealt with in another way.
On the morning of the shooting, Hudson expressed frustration that nothing had been done yet to silence Wright. Shortly after, Wright was shot dead, fulfilling Hudson's demand. Hudson was later indicted on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, witness tampering, and directing the activities of a criminal gang. The indictment highlighted Hudson's involvement with the Neighborhood Bloods Rolling 20’s gang and his efforts to manipulate other witnesses in the case.
The murder of Michael Felton Wright was a calculated act to ensure Hudson's silence in court. Wright's death underscored the dangers faced by witnesses in criminal cases and the lengths to which some individuals will go to avoid justice. Hudson's trial and subsequent conviction brought some closure to the case, but the loss of Wright, a dedicated security guard and community member, left a lasting impact on those who knew him.
