The tranquility of a Jacksonville neighborhood was shattered on a Tuesday afternoon when a domestic dispute escalated into a tragic shooting. Trudale Reed, a 29-year-old man with a troubled past, now faces serious charges after a triple shooting that claimed the life of his 4-year-old daughter and left his 2-year-old daughter and their mother fighting for their lives.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call at a home on Traci Lynn Drive, where they found the mother and her two young daughters suffering from gunshot wounds. The 4-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries at the scene, while her mother and toddler sister were rushed to local hospitals with life-threatening conditions.
The Shooting and Subsequent Arrest
Investigators pieced together a chilling sequence of events. Reed, the girls’ father, was reportedly engaged in a heated argument with the mother outside their home. The dispute turned violent when Reed fired multiple rounds, striking all three family members before fleeing the scene in a stolen SUV.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office swiftly launched a manhunt, issuing a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert for Reed and the stolen vehicle. Detectives from the Homicide Unit took charge of the investigation, quickly identifying Reed as the primary suspect. Members of the Community Problem Response Team located Reed and executed a vehicle block taking him into custody without incident. Reed was subsequently transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for minor injuries before being booked into the Duval County Pre-Trial Detention Center.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
During his first court appearance, Reed faced a litany of charges, including second-degree murder for the death of his 4-year-old daughter. He also faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder for the injuries sustained by his 2-year-old daughter and their mother. Additional charges include aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcementshooting or throwing deadly missilespossession of a firearm by a convicted felon and grand theft auto.
Given the severity of the charges, Reed was denied bond on the murder and attempted murder counts, ensuring he will remain in custody pending trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 23, when he will enter a plea to the charges. The judge also imposed a no-contact order, prohibiting Reed from communicating with any witnesses or victims.
A History of Violence
Reed’s criminal history paints a troubling picture. He served time in prison from 2016 to 2019 for a robbery with a deadly weapon conviction stemming from an incident in 2015. Additionally, Reed has been arrested twice for domestic battery once in 2026 and again in July 2026. However, both sets of charges were ultimately dropped, allowing Reed to avoid further legal consequences until this tragic event.
The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this senseless violence. Neighbors and loved ones are rallying around the surviving family members, offering support and condolences during this difficult time. The incident has also sparked a broader conversation about domestic violence and the need for stronger protections and interventions.
For those affected by domestic violence, resources are available. The Hubbard House’s Hotline offers free, confidential support 24/7 at 904-354-3114 and via text at 904-210-3698. Additional help can be found through the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119 and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. In Nassau County, Micah’s Place provides assistance through their Domestic Violence Help Hotline at 904-225-9979.
