ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A man identified as a person of interest since the beginning of a 2018 homicide investigation has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a West Augustine resident, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Major Crimes detectives arrested 38-year-old Brandon Calloway in connection with the death of 28-year-old Lavert Durden.
The case dates back to Nov. 16, 2018, when deputies responded to the intersection of Herbert Street and Christopher Street in West Augustine following reports of a shooting.
When deputies arrived, they found Durden suffering from gunshot wounds. He died as a result of his injuries.
According to witness statements gathered during the investigation, Durden had been involved in a heated argument with two men immediately before the shooting occurred.
Investigators identified Calloway as a person of interest early in the investigation and continued pursuing leads in the case over the following years.
Last week, a St. Johns County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Calloway with first-degree murder.
At the time of his arrest, Calloway was already serving an eight-year prison sentence on unrelated charges.
Following the indictment, authorities transported him to the St. Johns County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has not released additional details regarding the evidence that led to the indictment.
The investigation remains active.