On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 45-year-old Damon Thomas was arrested for Felony Murder and other charges after an armed robbery attempt led to the death of a 32-year-old man. Thomas was already behind bars on unrelated charges.
On Monday, November 3, 2025, District 3 patrol officers responded to a business on Baymeadows Road for an attempted armed robbery. When the officers arrived, they found 32-year-old Rhoderius Simmons with a gunshot wound in the parking lot; he passed away from his injury.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) Homicide Unit detectives launched an investigation alongside the Crime Scene Unit. They quickly learned Simmons and Thomas had entered the business together with the intention of robbing the owner. The owner and the two robbers fired gunshots at each other before Simmons and Thomas left the business. While Simmons passed away in the parking lot, Thomas drove off from the area.
On Wednesday, March 4th, detectives received an arrest warrant for Thomas and he continues to be held in the John E. Goode Pretrial Detention Facility (Duval County jail).
To view the post regarding these arrests on JSO's social media platforms, please click on one of the following links:
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