JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Prosecutors have determined a Jacksonville man acted lawfully when he fatally shot another driver during a road rage confrontation in the Sandalwood area last year.
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In a review released to News4JAX, the State Attorney’s Office concluded the 22-year-old was justified in using deadly force against 62-year-old Joe Starkey during the Dec. 10, 2025, shooting at the intersection of St. John’s Bluff Road South and Theresa Drive.
The family’s attorney, John Phillips, said he has plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit as they continue pushing for accountability in the case.
“We disagree with their findings,†Phillips said.
According to the report, Starkey exited his vehicle during a confrontation between the two drivers and approached the 22-year-old’s SUV while it was stopped at a traffic light.
Investigators said the shooter and his girlfriend were delivering food for DoorDash when the encounter escalated.
Witness accounts differed about how the confrontation began. Starkey’s wife told investigators that the 22-year-old was driving erratically and nearly caused a crash. The driver and his girlfriend said Starkey had been tailgating them and flashing his high beams.
The State Attorney’s Office said Starkey got out of his vehicle despite his wife’s urging him not to.
The driver and his girlfriend told detectives that Starkey approached the open driver-side window of the SUV while yelling and gesturing aggressively. The driver said he warned Starkey that he was armed and told him not to approach.
According to the review, Starkey then reached into the vehicle through the open window, prompting the 22-year-old to fire one shot.
Crime scene investigators found blood evidence on and inside the vehicle that prosecutors said supported his account that Starkey was at or inside the vehicle window at the time of the shooting.
The report concluded the 22-year-old reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
Prosecutors cited Florida’s self-defense and Stand Your Ground laws, including statutory protections involving forcible entry into an occupied vehicle.
“Accordingly, the use of deadly force was lawful, and no criminal charges are warranted,†the report stated.
The man immediately called 911 after the shooting, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to the review.
An autopsy found Starkey died from a gunshot wound to the chest. Toxicology results showed his blood alcohol concentration was 0.112.
The State Attorney’s Office said no charges will be filed unless additional evidence emerges.
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