MACCLENNY, Fla. — Community Rallies as 19-Year-Old Devin “DJ” Powers Jr. Remains in Critical Condition Following Double Shooting
MACCLENNY, Fla. — The tight-knit community of Macclenny is reeling following a violent double shooting that occurred Thursday night, leaving 19-year-old Devin “DJ” Powers Jr. critically injured and a 14-year-old boy wounded. As of Saturday afternoon, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) confirmed that DJ remains in critical condition, fighting for his life in the hospital.
According to the BCSO, the shooting happened near South Boulevard and 9th Street, a residential area that has now become the center of a criminal investigation and a community’s heartbreak. While the 14-year-old victim was treated for his injuries and has since been released from the hospital, the condition of DJ has caused widespread concern.
Sheriff Scotty Rhoden expressed his support for DJ’s family during this harrowing time. “Sheriff Rhoden has been in contact with his mother and offers our prayers to their family,” the department said in a statement posted Saturday.
The scene of the shooting remained active Friday as detectives combed through evidence and community members grappled with the shock. Action News Jax, on visiting the scene, reported the presence of multiple evidence markers for bullet holes—five outside one home and two more in a neighboring house. In one nearby residence, stray bullets reportedly tore through walls and damaged appliances, leaving innocent bystanders shaken.
Authorities have made significant progress in the investigation. Detectives believe that the shooting was preceded by an altercation, during which DJ was assaulted and robbed, and his handgun stolen. In connection to that robbery, 22-year-old Tarek Manning-Givens has been arrested and charged.
“The individuals who shot the victims have been identified,” the Sheriff’s Office stated, though their names have not yet been released to the public. Investigators are still actively collecting evidence and witness statements to piece together the exact circumstances that led to the shooting.
The incident has reignited urgent conversations within Macclenny about youth violence, gun access, and public safety, as community members call for unity, intervention programs, and greater protection for young people in the area.
DJ, known to friends and family as a kind-hearted and driven young man, has become the emotional center of this tragedy. Loved ones have taken to social media to share prayers, memories, and well-wishes. A prayer vigil is expected to be organized in the coming days as supporters continue to hope for a full recovery.
As law enforcement continues its investigation, BCSO urges anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Tips can be shared anonymously with the Sheriff’s Office or local crime stoppers.
For now, Baker County stands together, supporting DJ’s family and working toward justice. The hope remains that the violence will end and that healing—both personal and communal—can begin.