Jacksonville, FL β The Jacksonville Sheriffβs Office (JSO) has announced a major breakthrough in a disturbing drive-by shooting incident that took place in August of last year. The violent attack claimed the life of a beloved family petβa Great Dane named Naomiβand has now led to the arrest of six individuals, the clearing of 11 shooting-related cases, and a deeper look into a local network of violence tied to a group of young friends.
The original incident occurred on Park Avenue in District 6, when suspects opened fire on an occupied home during a drive-by shooting. Tragically, Naomi, the familyβs Great Dane, was killed while lying peacefully on the front porch. The loss sent ripples through the community and galvanized law enforcement into action.
JSO officers and detectives immediately launched a comprehensive investigation, collecting shell casings from the scene. Those casings were entered into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which soon yielded a match and helped link the crime to two individuals: 19-year-old Logan Kurlin and 22-year-old Nathan Kizer. Additionally, investigators recovered a stolen Hyundai Sonata believed to have been used in the commission of the crime.
During extensive interviews with Kurlin and Kizer, detectives uncovered a much larger, more concerning pattern of violence. The pair was part of a group of six individuals allegedly responsible for a series of shootingsβsome officially reported, others not. By the end of the investigation, 11 separate shooting-related cases were tied to the group, leading to multiple charges and a sense of relief for several affected neighborhoods.
The six individuals now facing charges include:
- Logan Kurlin, 19
- Nathan Kizer, 22
- Louis Gill, 23
- Jeremiah Simmonds, 18
- Darrell Brill, 21
- Hannah Johnson, 16
Kurlin, Kizer, Gill, and Simmonds have each been charged with seven counts of Attempted Murder, in addition to various other felony charges. These charges include firearm violations, grand theft auto, and cruelty to animals in connection to Naomiβs death.
Brill and Johnson have been charged with two counts of Attempted Murder, as well as other related offenses.
JSOβs Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) is continuing to process ballistic evidence to determine whether this group may be connected to other unsolved shootings across the city. Sheriffβs officials emphasized their ongoing commitment to holding violent offenders accountable and working closely with the State Attorneyβs Office to ensure justice is served.
βThis wasnβt just about a dog being killed,β said a JSO spokesperson. βThis was a string of calculated and reckless acts of violence, endangering innocent people and terrorizing our community. Naomiβs death was tragic, but it also helped shine a light on a much larger problem. And now, thanks to teamwork and technology, these suspects will face justice.β
As the investigation unfolds, JSO is also calling on parents and guardians throughout the community to take proactive steps in guiding and monitoring their childrenβs behavior.
βPlease, parentsβknow who your children are with, where they are, and what they are doing. This situation is a tragic reminder of how quickly things can escalate, and how devastating the consequences can be,β the department said in a public statement.
The community has been asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior or tips that may be connected to ongoing gun violence investigations. Information can be submitted anonymously to JSO Crime Stoppers or through the P3 Tips mobile app.
This case, while deeply painful, stands as a powerful example of how diligent police work, community involvement, and technological tools can come together to deliver long-awaited justice.
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