77º

2 men killed in Moncrief shooting grew up as brothers, families say

Makeshift memorial has been set up for Darnell Dues, Dorian Brown

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two men who were killed in a shooting Saturday night in Jacksonville's Moncrief area grew up as brothers, the victims' families said.

After the double shooting, Darnell Dues, 30, was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said Monday. Family members said Dues leaves behind two children.

The second man, 27-year-old Dorian Brown, was pronounced dead Saturday night at UF Health, police said. 

The shooting happened about 6:20 p.m. near the intersection of 28th and Stuart streets. Evidence technicians found 40 shell casings in the area.  

As Dorian Brown's father, Darryl Brown, stood in front of a makeshift memorial for his son and his son's friend, he reflected on the gun violence that has affected his family in recent years.

"I've been shot. My son's been shot," Darryl Brown said. "It's been very violent here."

According to family members of Dues and Dorian Brown, gunmen pulled up at the corner of the intersection, got out of their car and began shooting, striking Dorian Brown first. 

Dues' family members, who wished to remain anonymous, said they witnessed the shooting and Dues was shot in the back as he ran down Stuart Street. One family member said she grabbed small children and rushed them inside a corner store to take cover. 

Darryl Brown said he doesn't understand why the shooting happened. 

"Why all you children out here listening to all this foolishness and looking at TV and thinking you can just kill somebody?" he said. "You taking this life, but do you know how many lives are affected?”

He said he and other witnesses know one of the shooters.

"This isn't somebody we don't know. We know this man," Darryl Brown said. "I know who did it."

He said that man is better off getting caught by police.

"If they don't hurry up, lock him up, these children are going to kill him," Darryl Brown said. "I know it's going to be some retaliation."

Dorian Brown would have celebrated his 28th birthday Tuesday. Instead, family and friends will hold a candlelight vigil for both victims at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.


About the Author

Award-winning broadcast and multimedia journalist with 20 years experience.

Recommended Videos