JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he shot a man he met through a dating app during what investigators describe as a robbery attempt that followed a failed date.
Authorities said Jamal Moreland is accused of attempted murder and armed robbery stemming from a February 2023 shooting that left the victim critically injured. The two men had connected through Grindr and agreed to meet in person in Jacksonville, according to investigators.
Police said the date began without incident, with the victim picking Moreland up and the two spending time together before tensions developed over money. Investigators said the victim declined requests to pay for food and later drove Moreland home after deciding the date was not going well.
According to police, Moreland later contacted the victim and asked to be picked up again, claiming he needed help. When the victim returned and Moreland got back into the vehicle, authorities said Moreland pulled out a gun and demanded money.
Police said Moreland then opened fire inside the vehicle, striking the victim multiple times. Despite his injuries, the victim managed to drive away before crashing. He was rushed to a hospital, where he survived the shooting.
Detectives said evidence gathered during the investigation, including surveillance footage and forensic findings, led them to identify Moreland as the suspect. He was later arrested and formally charged in the case.
Prosecutors have characterized the incident as a violent escalation tied to a robbery attempt, while court records show the victim had no prior relationship with Moreland beyond their online communication and brief in-person meeting.
Moreland remains in custody as the case moves forward through the court system. If convicted, he could face decades in prison under Florida sentencing guidelines.
