Derrick Hartley

Derrick Lamont Hartley was a compassionate real estate agent and a passionate advocate for the Jacksonville, Florida, community where he grew up. The 36-year-old Black man was a husband, a father of five, and a friend to many. Colleagues at Trinity Real Estate described him as a family man who put his wife and children first. He was dedicated to bettering people's lives by introducing them to homeownership and was known for going back to his old neighborhood to make a difference. Friends said he was one of the "good guys" who did not have enemies, and his death was a major loss for the community he worked so hard to uplift.

On the night of Saturday, March 30, 2019, an argument broke out in a parking lot in the area of Moncrief Road and West 35th Street in Northwest Jacksonville. The altercation began just before 10 p.m. when a man, later identified as William Clyde Broadnax, backed his vehicle into Hartley's. According to witnesses and surveillance footage, the two men argued. During the exchange, Hartley shoved Broadnax and started to back away. The other man then moved toward Hartley and shot him multiple times. After Hartley fell to the ground, the shooter reportedly hit and kicked him before fleeing the scene. First responders transported Hartley to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office detectives began an immediate investigation. Witnesses at the scene cooperated with police, and investigators obtained surveillance video from a nearby internet cafe that had captured the deadly encounter. The information gathered from witness interviews and the video footage quickly led police to a suspect.

The following day, police located and arrested 40-year-old William Clyde Broadnax at his home on Bethel Road. He was booked into the Duval County jail and charged with second-degree murder. A judge ordered him to be held without bond. Records showed that Broadnax, a lifetime Jacksonville resident, had one prior arrest in 2006 for trespassing.

News of Hartley's death sent waves of shock and devastation through Jacksonville. Tributes poured in on social media, with many sharing memories of how he had helped them buy their first homes. A GoFundMe account was established to create a legacy fund and support his family. As of April 2019, William Broadnax was in custody awaiting legal proceedings for the murder charge.