JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 19-year-old man was arrested and accused of murder in the shooting death of a 16-year-old that happened in Mandarin in December 2023, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Colton Moore, who was already in custody on unrelated charges, has now been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Derek Pitts, according to police.
Pitts was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Coopers Hawk Apartment homes on Old St Augustine Road on Dec. 30, 2023.
Last month, News4JAX spoke to Pitts’ aunt, Bernardette Howarth, who said the 16-year-old had a “vibrant spirit.”
“Derek was an avid Philly sports fan. He absolutely loved baseball, football,” Howarth said. “He loved cars, driving around, shopping with his sister. He was just a funny kid. He never liked when people were upset. He always tried to make people laugh.”
JSO said there was a large party that happened at a different location nearby but the party moved to that apartment complex. Police said there was a fight that broke out between two groups when someone pulled out a gun and started shooting.
At least 10 shots were fired, and Pitts was hit by one.
He died at the hospital.
During the homicide investigation, detectives received several First Coast Crime Stoppers tips, which ultimately led them to identify Moore as the suspect, JSO said.
Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
