On the evening of Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the Jacksonville music community lost a beloved figure in a violent road rage incident on the Southside. Joe Starkey, a 62-year-old male musician and sound engineer, was driving home with his wife, Tina Starkey, after a dinner at a local restaurant. As they traveled along St. Johns Bluff Road South near Atlantic Boulevard, they encountered a Jeep that was reportedly driving erratically.
According to accounts provided by the family's attorney, John Phillips, the Jeep swerved repeatedly and "brake-checked" the couple’s vehicle, creating a dangerous situation on the roadway.
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation and avoid leading the aggressive driver to his home, Starkey pulled his vehicle over to the side of the road. Witnesses and legal representatives stated that Starkey stepped out of his car to address the other driver and ask why they were being harassed. Before he could finish speaking, the driver of the Jeep fired a weapon from inside the vehicle, striking Starkey. He collapsed on the roadway and was later pronounced dead at the scene by responding emergency personnel. His wife, who witnessed the shooting, attempted to render aid until police arrived.
Following the shooting, the unidentified suspect contacted emergency services and remained at the scene or turned himself in shortly thereafter. Homicide detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office interviewed the shooter, who cooperated with the initial investigation. Despite the fatal outcome, the suspect was released without being arrested or charged at that time. Law enforcement officials indicated that the case was being reviewed under Florida’s "Stand Your Ground" self-defense laws, which complicates immediate prosecution if the shooter claims a perception of threat.
The lack of an arrest sparked outrage among Starkey’s family and the broader community. His son, Damien Starkey, a prominent musician and former member of the band Puddle of Mudd, publicly expressed his devastation and demanded justice for his father. The family hired civil rights attorney John Phillips to press the State Attorney’s Office for answers and an eventual arrest. A memorial service was held on December 20, 2025, at the Hidden Hills Country Club, where friends and fellow artists gathered to honor Starkey’s four-decade legacy in the local music scene. As of late December 2025, the investigation remains active, with forensic evidence still being processed and no charges filed against the shooter.
