Joe Starkey was a significant presence in Jacksonville’s music scene, and his untimely death has brought immense sorrow to family, friends, and fellow artists throughout the region. The incident has left those who knew him grappling with the suddenness of his passing.

“It’s unbelievable,” expressed Jimmie Hood, a close friend of Starkey. “I don’t understand how it can happen.” This sentiment echoes the feelings of those who valued Starkey’s contributions and friendship.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that officers responded to a call shortly before 9 p.m. on the 1700 block of St. Johns Bluff Road South. Upon arrival, they discovered Starkey lying in the roadway, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the incident, the individual suspected of the shooting voluntarily turned himself in and was subsequently interviewed by homicide detectives. As of Friday night, no charges had been filed against the suspect, and the case remains under active review by the authorities.

Starkey was a familiar face and sound across Jacksonville, a guitarist, vocalist, producer and sound engineer.

“Just a staple of the Jax music scene going back as far as the mid-eighties,” a bandmate, John Garren said.

“Joe is one of the most talented musicians in this city,” Hood said.

“Whatever he picks up musically, he’s just excelled at,” Garren added.

Garren said Starkey’s impact was felt both on stage and behind the soundboard.

“Anybody who’s looking for a sound man to do their show, they want to hire Joe Starkey,” Garren said. “Anytime Joe’s running my sound, I know you’re not only gonna hear the drums, you’re gonna feel it.”

The two recently formed the band Mixtape and had already played several events, with another show scheduled for April.

Friends said Starkey was also a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

“He’s the nicest guy you could ever meet,” Hood said. “He’s the kind of guy to give you the shirt off his back.”

Hood, who has known Starkey for more than 40 years, said they lived together as young men, worked construction side by side and played in multiple bands.

“Just being on stage with Joe, he made me a better musician and a better singer,” he said.

Starkey’s musical legacy also lives on through his son, who has played in national rock bands and runs a studio and rehearsal space in Jacksonville.

Hood called the shooting “a tragedy” and said his heart breaks for Starkey’s wife, children and grandchildren.

“The world is not gonna be the same without him,” he said. “If he was listening… I’m sorry. Just that we miss him. The world is not going to be the same without him.”

First Coast News also spoke with his son who says the incident has completely destroyed their family. 

A GoFundMe has been created to help the family.