Jacksonville man arrested in father’s fatal shooting at home as investigation moves into court
Arrest follows early-morning call to Deercreek-area residence
A Jacksonville man has been arrested and accused of fatally shooting his father inside a home in the Deercreek area, in a case now moving through the Duval County court system.
Police identified the suspect as Garry Charles Bartlett Jr., 27, and the victim as Garry Charles Bartlett Sr., 69. Officers were dispatched to a residence on Fawn Lake Drive South after 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in response to a report of a person who had been shot. When officers arrived, they found Bartlett Sr. dead inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds.
What investigators have confirmed so far
Detectives reviewed available evidence and identified Bartlett Jr. as the suspect, leading to his arrest and booking into the John E. Goode Pretrial Detention Facility, authorities said.
In a first court appearance the following day, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, a judge ordered Bartlett Jr. held without bond. A next court date was set for Dec. 12, 2024, at 9 a.m. The case is being handled as a homicide investigation; no additional details about a possible motive, witness accounts, or the circumstances immediately preceding the shooting were publicly confirmed in the initial police summary.
Suspect: Garry Charles Bartlett Jr., 27
Victim: Garry Charles Bartlett Sr., 69
Location: Fawn Lake Drive South, Deercreek area of Jacksonville
Initial call time: Shortly after 8 a.m., Nov. 20, 2024
First appearance: Nov. 21, 2024; held without bond
How the legal process typically unfolds in a homicide case
After an arrest in a homicide investigation, prosecutors generally review law-enforcement evidence and determine the formal charging path while the defense begins case preparation. Court hearings may address matters such as detention status, discovery timelines, and any future motions that could affect what evidence is admissible at trial.
Anyone with information about the case has been asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office or report tips through local anonymous reporting channels.
What remains unknown
Authorities had not publicly released a detailed narrative of events inside the home, nor had they announced whether additional charges could be considered as the investigation continues. No public filings referenced in the initial announcement described claims of self-defense, an ongoing dispute, or other factors sometimes examined in domestic shootings.
The case remains active as it proceeds through the court system.