On Thursday, May 15, 2025, District 4 Patrol officers responded to a shooting at a house on Wheat Road near Ricker Road. When officers arrived, they found Donte Swan, 39, with two gunshot wounds. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) personnel rushed him to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) Homicide Unit detectives launched an investigation. The person who called 9-1-1 told detectives a group of men tried to break into cars parked on the property when Swan confronted them. Thomas, who was 17 years old at the time, pulled out his pistol and shot Swan two times before taking off with the others in his group.

Detectives enlisted the help of JSO's Crime Analysis and Crime Scene Units, plus the Real Time Crime Center, to prove Thomas killed Swan. Detectives learned Thomas was part of a larger group which had stolen a car, drove to the area for the murder, and broke into several vehicles before Swan confronted them.

Thomas was already in custody on an unrelated charge when a warrant was issued for his arrest in this case. While Thomas was a juvenile when he killed Swan, the State Attorney’s Office plans to charge him as an adult.

Even with the gunman behind bars, the investigation continues so that everyone involved in this case is held responsible for their actions.

To access the arrest report and booking photo for this case, please visit the Published Media Requests page on JSO's Public Records Portal and search "M483954" in the Reference No. section. 

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