On Thursday, September 1, 2022, patrol officers responded to an apartment complex off Kernan Boulevard in response to a shooting. When the officers arrived, they spoke with an apartment tenant who reported three masked men had broken into his apartment. The masked men had fired shots, and the tenant fired back.

Less than hour later, patrol officers were called to a hospital on 103rd Street. The officers learned 23-year-old Melvin Keepler Jr. was found outside the hospital with a gunshot wound. He passed away from his injury.

JSO's Homicide Unit launched an investigation into what happened to Keepler Jr. After a thorough investigation, detectives learned Keepler Jr., Harris, and Curtis were the masked men who broke into the Kernan Boulevard apartment.

Detectives continued the investigation, collecting enough evidence to arrest Harris and Curtis for Keepler Jr.’s murder and the armed burglary.

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, detectives received an arrest warrant for Harris. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Task Force, he was arrested the same day. Detectives continued to investigate to build a case against Curtis.

On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Curtis was arrested in Bay County, Florida. He was transported back to Duval County and booked into the John E. Goode Pretrial Detention Facility (jail) on Friday, February 27, 2026.

To view the post regarding these arrests on JSO's social media platforms, please click on one of the following links: Facebook | Instagram | X