JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Overlooking the intersection of Merrill Road and Cesery Boulevard in Arlington, stands a billboard, with a mother’s plea for justice.
Justice for Gabriel Devoe, who was shot and killed in the parking lot of an Arlington apartment complex in November 2022.
Gabriel was the cousin of Morning Show News and Traffic Anchor Amanda DeVoe.
Gabriel was 23 years old, and a month away from graduating from college, when he was killed. His mother, Rose Devoe, still wants answers.
She’s put up a billboard with his picture to show the community she is not ending her fight for justice. The billboard is a painful reminder for Rose.
“When I put this billboard up, I had to remind myself that I’m going to drive past this billboard and I’m going to see my son’s picture with the caption above his face that says, ‘Help solve my murder.’ That is not easy. Mothers need to know that’s not easy,” she said.
The billboard is less than half a mile from where Gabriel was killed, and just a few miles from where he grew up.
For Rose, just being in the parking lot where the sign stands can be too much to bear.
“There are some days that I feel so nauseated and the pain is debilitating. Sometimes, I get to the red light, and I have to stop and breathe because it’s unbelievable. It’s surreal,” she said.
One year after Gabriel’s death, Rose, along with Crime Stoppers, raised the reward for information in the case to $15,000.
She has also gone door-to-door -- along with MAD DADS and what she calls “Gabriel’s Tribe” -- at Caroline Village Apartments where he was killed.
AJ Jordan with MAD DADS said the billboard shows that the community is still working to get answers.
“Every day that they drive by that billboard, it’s a reminder of what they did. How they took her son away from her. That billboard is very powerful. It lets the killer know that we are not giving up, we’re standing strong, and we’re going to come after you every single day. We’re not giving up,” said Jordan.
“I vowed on the day that someone decided to murder my son, that my life plan changed and I am walking that destiny right now and it is everything that I can do to fight for justice for Gabriel,” Rose said.
A vigil is planned for Friday night, where Gabriel’s tribe will be joined by MAD DADS, the Justice Coalition and Crime Stoppers.
If you have any information related to Gabriel Devoe’s death, you can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.