The Voice of the Gem City

October 7, 2020

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.

A 19-year-old St. Augustine man has been arrested today in a double shooting Tuesday night on Florida Club Boulevard, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Anfernee Jayon Wilson was first detained for questioning around 8 p.m. Tuesday after being found at a pond by Royal St. Augustine Golf and Country Club He matched the description of the shooter given by eyewitnesses. Authorities say one of the victims also gave deputies information about the shooter before being flown to Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville. The two victims – a man and woman — were found shot in a pickup truck in the parking lot of Florida Club Condominiums. One died at Flagler Hospital. The other remains in critical condition in Jacksonville. Deputies are continuing a search that began last night for the murder weapon. Wilson is facing charges including capital first-degree murder as well as weapon violations for firing into a vehicle. Additional charges are expected. Names of the victims are not being released due to Marcy’s Law, which prevents names from being released without consent of family.

Three men have been taken into custody for the Sept. 21 armed robbery of a Bostwick convenience store. Hunter Shane Conner, 20, of East Palatka, and Talon Alexander Tope, 26, and John Anthony Pfister, 19, both of St. Augustine, are all charged with robbery with a firearm, a first-degree felony. A request for information via CrimeStoppers of NE Florida quickly led to tips. Conner was arrested Monday afternoon and taken to the Putnam County Jail. Tope and Pfister, who allegedly drove his red BMW as the getaway car, were arrested by St. Johns County deputies and transferred to Putnam Tuesday. Each is being held on a $50,000 bond. Maximum sentence for a first-degree felony is 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Both Flagler and Putnam counties reported a coronavirus-related death Tuesday, according to the Florida Department of Health. In Putnam a 73-year-old man died, making the 42nd death since counting began in March. Five new coronavirus cases and 10 transfers or cases merged out of county were reported also. Total number of cases in Putnam is at 2,160. Flagler County reported the death of an 82-year-old man in another county bringing their death total to 29. In addition, 14 new cases were reported Tuesday for a total of 1,807 cases St. Johns County reported 38 new cases. Their total is now at 5,565.
Daytona State College and University of North Florida have signed a memorandum of understanding for a health-care hub that will include Palm Coast. The health-care operation has been named MedNexus and a satellite — Palm Coast MedNexus – will be built at Town Center in Palm Coast. MedNexus will provide healthcare education and support specific health needs of the region. A nursing program beginning in January will be the first phase.

For the second time in Flagler County courts, an accused drug dealer has been indicted for first-degree murder for allegedly causing the death of an individual after selling the victim fentanyl. Jevante Hamilton, 25, is accused of killing Timothy J. Davison, 25, by overdose on Aug. 24, 2019, in Palm Coast. The charge is a capital felony, which brings the death penalty into play.

A 20-year-old Jacksonville man has been charged with the rape of a teenage girl last year in St. Johns County. Austin Missinne allegedly forced himself on the girl in her vehicle on Nov. 3, 2019. In addition to the rape charge, he faces being charged with false imprisonment.

All Putnam County Board of County Commissioners facilities reopened to the public Tuesday. In that order will be public works, parks and recreation including all parks, community and recreation centers and all library locations in Putnam County.

Palatka native Pastor Harry Varnadoe, 94, has died following a brief illness. A World War II Navy veteran, Pastor Varnadoe became a fervent believer in Christ and shared that love with thousands during the year. He served as a pastor at Nocatee, Francis and Bunnell with his last ministry at Solaris Health Care including weekly devotions and visits.

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