Two 17-year-olds arrested in Jacksonville 7-year-old's murder, police say

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has arrested two teenagers, Donte McGhee and Tavaris Kelly, both 17, in connection with the murder of 7-year-old Breon Allen Jr. The two face charges of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder following the tragic shooting that occurred on January 24. When approached by reporters outside Duval County Jail, McGhee expressed regret for the victim's family but maintained his innocence.

In March, four other suspects—Keith Fields, 18; Dannel Larkins, 20; Keith Johnson, 21; and Zharod Sykes, 24—were identified and charged with second-degree murder and related offenses for their roles in the incident. This violent ambush left Allen dead and injured 21-year-old Lafayette Mango, as multiple shooters attacked in the Westside neighborhood.

Breon's mother, Casheena Love, voiced her ongoing pain, expressing the challenges of coping with the loss of her son. The arrests of McGhee and Kelly were highlighted as pivotal moments in the ongoing investigation, which Sheriff T.K. Waters referred to as a "targeted, planned act of bloodshed."

Sheriff Waters emphasized the profound impact of the crime on Breon's family, stating that the grieving would be an enduring process. He characterized Allen as a "treasured child" and firmly condemned the senseless violence, urging the community to hold those who engage in gangs accountable and highlighting that there are alternatives to lives of crime.

Crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson remarked on the significance of the arrests, asserting that the consequences of such actions should be severe, regardless of age. He underscored that the visibility of the perpetrators as they are taken into custody serves as a warning to others about the serious repercussions of violent crime.