On Thursday, November 21, 2024, State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced that a Duval County jury found 51-year-old Michael Wayne Holdiness guilty of Second-Degree Murder. Holdiness now faces up to life in Florida State Prison. Sentencing will be determined by the Honorable Mark Borello at a later date.
The charges stemmed from a fatal shooting that occurred on November 12, 2020, on Jacksonville’s Westside. Officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene after a witness reported an altercation between Holdiness and the victim. According to the witness, the victim had stolen Holdiness’ cigarettes, leading to an argument.
Holdiness then went into his home, retrieved a rifle, and fired at the victim as he walked away. After the shooting, Holdiness attempted to hide the rifle in his roommate’s closet.
The victim initially survived the attack but suffered significant complications due to the gunshot wound. On December 27, 2021—more than a year after the shooting—the victim died. The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide, directly caused by the gunshot wound.
The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Trey Atkinson and Chris Huband.
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