JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For the first time since the tragic incident, Joe Starkey’s family has broken their silence. Starkey, a well-respected figure in Jacksonville’s music community, was fatally shot in a road rage altercation on December 10.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reports that while a suspect has surrendered to authorities, no charges have been filed, and no arrests have been made. This leaves the Starkey family in a state of anguish and uncertainty as they await answers.

Struggling to comprehend the situation, the family voiced their distress over the lack of legal action. “He took away my husband, he took away his father,” said Starkey’s wife, Tina. “He had plans for the holidays, he was excited, and this man just destroyed everything.”

“He took away my husband, he took away his father… he had plans for the holidays, he was excited, and this man just destroyed everything,” said Tina, Joe Starkey’s wife.

Both Tina Starkey and the couple’s son, Damien, said they are still trying to process the loss.

For decades, Starkey was a familiar face and sound in the local music scene. He was known as a guitarist, vocalist, producer, and sound engineer.

According to family attorney John Phillips, Starkey and his wife were driving home after a night out at a restaurant when they noticed a Jeep swerving and driving erratically. Phillips said Starkey attempted to avoid the vehicle, but Phillips said the driver aggressively passed them and slammed on his brakes.

Phillips said the Jeep continued following and harassing the couple as they drove home. Before making his final turn, Phillips said Starkey pulled over and got out of his car on St. Johns Bluff Road South.

“Joe got out of his car in part to protect his wife… in part to just say ‘hey, what the heck, what’s so urgent, why are you putting us in danger?’ Before those words could be uttered, the man in the Jeep shot him,” Phillips said.

“This guy just shot him. Just shot him, and then I was trying to stop the bleeding,” Tina said.

Phillips said Starkey was unarmed at the time of the shooting. He also said no surveillance footage captured the shooting. 

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the suspected shooter turned himself in. After interviews with homicide detectives, the man was released. No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed.

Phillips said the formerly suspected shooter is claiming self-defense under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, which allows the use of deadly force in certain situations.

“Makes me feel like the potential of him getting away with it has grown,” said Damien Starkey.

The family said they are still searching for answers.

“It’s scary for our family because we just have nothing to go on other than… my dad is dead,” Damien Starkey said.

The family said they hope a suspect will eventually be arrested and charged. They are asking the public to come forward if they have any more information. 

The State Attorney’s Office declined to comment at this time, citing the case as an active investigation.