JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives have charged a second suspect in the fatal shooting of a 40-year-old man at a motel on Golfair Boulevard in May 2026, following a five-month investigation.
Dequan McDonald, 21, was identified as the second gunman in the May 29 shooting death of Giavonathan Butler, 40, according to JSO.
McDonald was already being held in the Duval County jail on unrelated burglary and theft charges when detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest in Butler’s murder on Wednesday, October 28.
Victim Found Shot Inside Jacksonville Motel Room
On Friday, May 29, 2026, JSO District 6 patrol officers responded to a motel room on Golfair Boulevard after receiving a report of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found Butler suffering from a gunshot wound. He died from his injury.
Two days later, the JSO SWAT Team arrested Alfred Jones III, 25, in connection with the killing.
However, investigators determined that Jones had not acted alone.
Evidence recovered during the investigation led homicide detectives to identify McDonald as a second gunman, according to JSO.
Second Suspect Was Already in Jail on Burglary Charges
In July 2026, McDonald was arrested in connection with a series of vehicle burglaries and thefts in Jacksonville’s Cobblestone area.
He remained in the Duval County jail awaiting trial on those charges while homicide detectives continued investigating Butler’s death.
On October 28, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging McDonald in connection with the May shooting.
McDonald remains in custody at the Duval County jail.
The arrests of Jones and McDonald followed months of investigative work by JSO’s Homicide Unit.