Quentin Samuel Jr. was a 34-year-old Black man from Ocala, Florida, described by family as sweet and mild-mannered. On the afternoon of July 20, 2023, deputies were called to his home in the 6500 block of Southeast 41st Court. First responders found Samuel outside the residence, lying in bushes; he had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and then seeing a maroon truck drive away. Investigators identified the truck as belonging to the father of Samuel’s 25-year-old cousin, Jowarn Mitchell. Deputies stopped Mitchell driving the vehicle and say his accounts of where he had been changed when pressed. Geolocation data from the truck’s GPS and Mitchell’s cell phone records were used to place him in front of Samuel’s home around the time of the shooting. He was arrested October 2, 2023, and charged with second-degree murder.

Mitchell’s trial began but ended in a mistrial in October 2025 after two jurors disclosed personal connections to the family, leaving the court without enough impartial jurors. No new trial date had been set. If anyone knew Quentin or has information about what happened that afternoon, please come forward.