Garry Charles Bartlett, Jr., 29, will spend 45 years behind bars for the murder of his father, 69-year-old Garry Charles Bartlett, Sr., at their Jacksonville, Florida home in November 2024.
Background
The shooting occurred on Nov. 20, 2024, at a residence on Fawn Lake Drive in the Deer Cove neighborhood. According to an arrest report obtained by Law&Crime, Bartlett, Jr. called 911 himself and told dispatchers he had shot his father. He informed operators that his father was deceased, placed the firearm used in the back bedroom, and noted that CPR was not necessary.
When officers arrived, they found Bartlett, Jr. waiting in the front yard. A search of his person recovered one 9 mm casing and one live round from his pants pocket.
Inside the home, investigators discovered Bartlett, Sr. dead on the living room floor with "several" gunshot wounds and covered in blood. Police recovered 12 spent 9 mm casings throughout the living room.
"Nice people from what all I knew, kept to themselves," a neighbor told First Coast News. "I'm just totally surprised by the whole situation, for this neighborhood for sure."
The Investigation
Officers located a Springfield Armory 9 mm handgun on the bed in the back bedroom. According to police, the weapon had malfunctioned during the attack—two live rounds were double-fed into the chamber while the 20-round magazine still contained two additional rounds.
After being advised of his Miranda rights at the police station, Bartlett, Jr. agreed to speak with detectives about his history with his father and the circumstances leading to the killing.
The defendant told investigators he had "sexually assaulted" him between the ages of 5 and 9, according to the arrest report. Police noted these allegations had never been previously documented.
Bartlett, Jr. stated that the night before the shooting, his father allegedly made a comment about "raping" him. Rather than reacting immediately, the defendant said he went to his room and "stewed" while listening to music and calling a friend.
"He originally fired several rounds at the victim, but the victim was still breathing," the arrest report states. "He said he was tired of hearing his father's agonal breathing causing him to 'put one in the back of his f—ing head' and the victim 'shut the f— up after that.'"
When asked how many times he shot his father, Bartlett, Jr. reportedly responded: "a lot."
After waiting an additional six to eight hours following the shooting, the defendant dialed 911.
The Sentencing
In early May, Bartlett, Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the second degree with a weapon before Duval County Circuit Court Judge Jeb Branham. Under a partially negotiated plea deal, he agreed to a 40-year minimum sentence with a possible maximum of life in prison.
Judge Branham sentenced the defendant to 45 years in state prison on Wednesday. Bartlett, Jr. was credited with nearly two years served in pretrial detention.
Key Takeaways
- Garry Charles Bartlett, Jr., 29, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a weapon for killing his father at their Jacksonville home
- The defendant admitted to firing multiple shots before executing his father with a gunshot to the back of the head
- Bartlett, Jr. claimed his father had sexually assaulted him as a child and made an alleged threatening comment the night before the shooting
- Police found 12 spent casings in the living room; the murder weapon misfired during the attack
- The defendant waited six to eight hours after killing his father before calling 911 himself
What's Next
The sentence is final. Bartlett, Jr. will serve his 45-year term in state prison with credit for nearly two years of pretrial detention.