Derek Pitts, a 16-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, was fatally shot on December 29, 2023, at the Coopers Hawk Apartment homes located on Old St. Augustine Road in the Mandarin area. The incident occurred during a large party that had moved to the apartment complex from a nearby location. A fight broke out between two groups, and someone pulled out a gun, firing at least 10 shots, with one of the bullets hitting Pitts. He was taken to the hospital but did not survive.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) conducted an extensive homicide investigation, which included receiving several tips from First Coast Crime Stoppers. These tips were crucial in identifying the suspect, 19-year-old Colton Moore. Moore was already in custody on unrelated charges when he was charged with the murder of Derek Pitts.
Pitts' family has been deeply affected by his death, describing the period following his murder as a "nightmare." His sister, Theresa Pitts, and stepfather, Michael Shirley, expressed relief that a suspect had been identified but emphasized that they would not have full closure until Moore is sentenced. Pitts was remembered as a vibrant and funny individual who loved baseball, football, and cars, and was known for trying to make people laugh.
The arrest of Colton Moore brought some answers to the family, but they continue to grapple with the loss of Derek. The family has urged the community to be aware of and address the issue of gun violence among teenagers. Moore made his first court appearance on the murder charge, where the judge set no bail and noted that the murder charge could carry a life sentence in prison.
Derek Pitts' death was part of a larger trend of violent incidents in Jacksonville in 2023, which saw a total of 158 homicides, with 14 of those being juveniles. Despite an overall decrease in homicides in the city, certain areas continued to experience high levels of violence.
