DNA from bullet fragment links suspect to Jacksonville man’s shooting death – Florida Times-Union

A Jacksonville man is charged in the shooting death of another man caught in a crossfire when a gun deal near Edward Waters College was interrupted last summer by a robbery, authorities said.

Detectives got a warrant last week for the arrest of Devin Roshaun Bartley, 21, after state lab tests of a bullet fragment collected at the scene tested positive for his DNA and that of the victim, according to the Sheriffs Office.

Facing a murder charge, Bartley turned himself in Monday and was booked into the Duval County jail, where he remains in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Anthony Carl Whitley, 37, was found slumped inside a Chevrolet Impala that crashed into a fence near 4th and Grunthal streets about 11 p.m. Sept. 4, 2016. Shot several times in the head and wrist, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

There was an open passenger door that indicated to officers, because of the blood trail leading away from it, that there was another occupant in the vehicle, Lt. Steve Gallaher said Monday. But they were no longer at the scene.

Gallaher said detectives determined the shooting actually took place a couple blocks away near Dot and Grunthal streets and the victims were able to drive away before crashing the Impala. At that location, they found shell casings and bullet fragments.

Shortly after, detectives were notified Marcus Treynard Glover, 20, had shown up at the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, Gallaher said. Then, he said, Bartley came into the emergency room, shot in the hand.

Glover told detectives he and Whitley had arranged for a gun deal to take place at the Dot Street location, but that during the deal, a masked gunman confronted and robbed them.

During that robbery attempt, Marcus said that he pulled his handgun and there was a gunfight between he and the robber, and thats when Whitley was shot and killed, the lieutenant said.

Bartley, meanwhile, told detectives he had been walking down the sidewalk several blocks away when he heard gunshots and then noticed hed been struck in the hand. He said he sought help from a friend, who gave him a ride to the ER.

Gallaher said detectives collected a DNA sample from Bartley with his consent and then released him due to a lack of information linking him to the shooting. He said police tracked down the gun buyer, who backed up Glovers account.

Detectives were able to loosely link the individual in the car buying the guns and Bartley as associates; however, at this time they are not able to prove that that subject set up this robbery, Gallaher said.

A bullet fragment recovered at the scene was sent to the state police crime lab for processing, which later found both Whitleys and Bartleys DNA on it. An analyst determined it must have traveled through Whitley before striking Bartley.

Reached Monday, the victims younger cousin, Devin Alexander, said the arrest brought him a little closure because he had made peace with Whitleys passing. He was a good guy who found himself in the wrong spot at the wrong time because somebody put him in a bad situation, he said.

Alexander, 23, said Whitley, described as a gentle giant and teddy bear known to loved ones as Amp, had been a mentor to him since his father passed away more than a decade ago.

He was a great dad, a great guy and the best cousin I could ask for.

Staff writer Dan Scanlan contributed to this report.

Garrett Pelican: (904) 359-4385

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DNA from bullet fragment links suspect to Jacksonville man's shooting death - Florida Times-Union