Sanford, FL – A 25-year-old man has been indicted for first-degree murder after killing a fishing boat captain during a road rage incident on August 14, 2025. The deadly confrontation unfolded in Sanford, Florida, leading to the tragic death of 43-year-old Joseph Morris Hall.
Road Rage Incident Escalates to Murder
Authorities reported that Jaden Alexander Harris was charged with first-degree murder after shooting Joseph Hall in the parking lot of the Vue on Lake Monroe apartment complex. Initially facing a second-degree murder charge, Harris’ case was upgraded by a grand jury.
The incident occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on August 14 when police responded to a call about a shooting at the complex. Officers arrived to find Hall, who had been shot multiple times, bleeding and unresponsive. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Harris Chased Victim After Minor Traffic Disagreement
Witnesses described a heated argument between Harris and Hall, which quickly escalated into violence. According to reports, Hall attempted to flee after the initial confrontation, but Harris chased him, firing additional shots. Police later confirmed that Hall was unarmed during the encounter.
In his interview with detectives, Harris explained that the conflict began when Hall’s vehicle was driving slowly, causing Harris to attempt to pass him. He claimed that Hall nearly hit him, prompting him to take a picture of Hall’s license plate. The situation worsened when the two stopped at a stop sign, and Hall allegedly insulted Harris, calling him a derogatory name.
Despite several chances to disengage, Harris continued to follow Hall into the apartment complex parking lot, where the fatal confrontation occurred.
Cops Say Harris Could Have Avoided Tragedy
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith expressed frustration over the avoidable nature of the tragedy. He stated, “Harris had several opportunities to drive away from the incident as he followed Joseph, who was attempting to drive away. Yet, Harris continued to follow Joseph unnecessarily, which ultimately led to Harris killing Joseph. A simple choice to drive away by Harris could have prevented this tragedy.”
Authorities noted that Harris never indicated he was in fear for his life and that he had no reason to escalate the situation to violence.
Victim Remembered as a Local Business Owner
Joseph Morris Hall was well-known in the Key Largo community, where he made his mark as the owner of the Sailors Choice Party Fishing Boat company. Hall had started as a mate with the company before eventually becoming the owner and expanding his business. His obituary described how he built a legacy in the area with hard work and vision, particularly through his work in private sport fishing charters.
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