On September 27, 2017, William Chrisman, a 33-year-old veteran, tragically lost his life while working as a security guard outside a Jacksonville strip club. Chrisman, who served two tours in Iraq, was attempting to break up a fight between two customers at Flash Dancers strip club when he was shot in the parking lot. He had four young children and worked at the club only part-time to provide additional financial support for his family.
That particular night, he wasn’t supposed to be working, but he had picked up an extra shift when a coworker called in.
William was known as a hero to his family and friends. His father-in-law, Mike Ellis Cooper, described him as someone who always stood up for those who were more vulnerable. It was while trying to protect someone that he lost his life, stepping in to stop a situation from escalating. Cooper remembered Chrisman as a loving father and a kind-hearted individual who was deeply devoted to his family. This tragic incident has left a significant void in the lives of his loved ones, and his family expressed the immense loss they felt because of his passing.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office began an immediate investigation and appealed to the public for information. Surveillance footage from the area captured images of two individuals believed to have knowledge about the incident. Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward to help identify the shooter, who remains at large. Chrisman’s death is remembered as a senseless tragedy, and the local community continues to hope for justice in the case.
