Local

Friends ID man in Northside Jacksonville undetermined death

JSO is investigating the undetermined death of a man in a Water’s Edge apartment complex.

Police were sent to his apartment for a welfare check Thursday afternoon.

A police report obtained by Action News Jax  stated the man was found lying unresponsive on the floor with a gun nearby.

Sources tell us his name is Jessie Sumlar.

We spoke to a woman who claims to have known him since the third grade about 20 years ago.

“It really broke my heart, he’s a really sweet guy. I grew up with him,” she said.

She tells us Sumlar was a member of the LGBTQ community, and fears he may have targeted.

For fear of her safety, she did not want to reveal her identity.

“He looked like a woman,” said his friend. “And with all the transsexual killings here lately, it’s just putting another one in there.”

Sumlar’s car is missing tonight. It’s described as a 2006 Chevy Impala, dark blue or green with a spoiler and heavy tint on the windows.

Police have leads on the car, but are not disclosing how he died.

Eric Moses lives in the same complex as the victim.

He tells Action News Jax the news is worrisome.

“It’s really sad, probably one of his friends set him up no telling,” said Moses.

As neighbors speculate, we continue to ask questions. We continue to press JSO for details surrounding his death.