CASSELBERRY, FLORIDA: A 22-year-old Florida man was arrested for allegedly killing his aunt's boyfriend during a heated argument over gun safety. Joel Thomas Ferrer is now facing a charge of second-degree murder in the slaying of 41-year-old David Nathaniel Jackson.
The incident occurred at the Regency Oaks apartment complex in the 100 block of Monarch Circle in Casselberry. Responding to a 911 call about a shooting at approximately 11.11 pm on July 27, officers found an unresponsive adult male, later identified as Jackson, lying on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center by Seminole County Fire Department medics but was pronounced dead.
Eyewitness testimony
A witness in the area reported hearing around six gunshots and observed a man, later identified as Ferrer, running down a stairwell toward a parking garage carrying a dark-colored backpack. The witness's Ring doorbell captured audio of the commotion, with a male voice stating, "Dave got shot by his nephew."
In the subsequent investigation, Trisha Marie Ferrer, who lived in the apartment with the suspect, the victim, and her four children, provided crucial information. She stated that Jackson overheard the suspect, Ferrer, handling a handgun inside the bathroom and confronted him about it. A heated argument ensued in the hallway, after which Jackson and Ferrer moved into the dining room area.
'He fired multiple shots'
“David [Jackson] expressed not wanting firearms in the home because of the children. David tried to get Joel [Ferrer] to understand him and to shake his hand to settle the dispute, but Joel would not,” the affidavit states. “David walked out of the apartment and stood outside the door in the 2nd story breezeway and started to smoke a Black & Mild cigar. Joel then walked around David and walked toward a staircase, just east of the apartment building. Joel then fired multiple shots toward David, striking him several times. Joel then ran down the stairs and left the area.”
The Florida man remained on the run for two days until eventually surrendering to authorities. During his court appearance, a Seminole County judge ordered him to be held without bond. Ferrer pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is scheduled for an arraignment on August 29.
