July 10, 2025 • 7 mins
In this episode of Hunting 4 Answers: A beloved grandmother, a cancer fighter, and a key witness in a Jacksonville shooting case—Cassandra Brown stood up for justice. But just one month after her home was vandalized in a clear act of intimidation, she was gunned down in broad daylight at a neighborhood block party. With over 100 people present, no one has been arrested. Anyone with information about this case should contact JSO at 904-630-0500, email JSOCRIMETIPS@jaxsheriff.org, or contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
This is the story of Cassandra Brown.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hunting for Answers is a production of the Black Effect
Podcast Network and iHeartRadio. Welcome to Hunting for Answers, a
true crime podcast. I'm your host Hunter, and today we're
discussing a case that took place in Jacksonville, Florida, in
June twenty twenty five. This case highlights the deadly consequences
(00:21):
of witness intimidation and the courage it takes to speak
up for justice. A sixty something year old grandmother battling
breast cancer had done what many consider their civic duty.
She testified as a witness and a criminal trial, she
helped put a dangerous woman behind bars. But speaking for
(00:43):
the truth would cost her everything. Just one month after
her home was vandalized, she would be gunned down and
broad daylight at a community block party. This is the
story of Cassandra Brown. Cassandra Brown was known throughout her
(01:04):
Jacksonville neighborhood as Shorty and was a beloved grandmother who
had become a pillar of her community on Groth Street.
Despite battling breast cancer, Cassandra maintained her vibrant spirit. She
was described by those who knew her as a fun
loving person who was cherished by her entire family and
(01:25):
many people in the community. But Cassandra had something that
would make her a target. She had witnessed a crime
in twenty twenty four. A year later, she would stand
in court to recount what she saw. In June twenty
twenty four, exactly one year before her death, Cassandra Brown
(01:46):
witnessed a shocking crime on the very same street where
she would later be killed. According to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reports,
Cassandra and another witness watched as a fifty seven year
old woman rode up on a black bicycle, pulled out
a gun out of a grocery bag, and shot at
(02:07):
a man at least four times. When police arrived to investigate,
Cassandra did what she believed was right. She told them
exactly what she saw. She became a witness in the
criminal case that followed, but speaking in the truth would
soon put her in danger. By May twenty twenty five,
(02:33):
Cassandra's life had taken a terrifying turn. Her home was vandalized,
a clear message from those who didn't want her to
continue cooperating with law enforcement. Cassandra called the Jacksonville Police
Department to report the incident. She knew she was being intimidated,
(02:53):
but she refused to be silenced, and his tampering report
remains heavily redacted, but the message was clear. Someone wanted
Cassandra to stop talking. Unfortunately, the threats wouldn't end with
(03:15):
property damage. June thirteenth, twenty twenty five, a warm Friday
evening in Jacksonville, Groth Street was lively with music and
laughter as more than a hundred people gathered for a
community block party. Cassandra Brown was enjoying the evening, sitting
(03:37):
in a chair outside on the porch, listening to music
and hanging out with friends and neighbors. But someone had
come to the party with deadly intention. As the evening
progressed with dozens of witnesses around, a gunshot rang out.
Cassandra Brown had been shot in the head while sitting
(03:59):
in her chair. The same street where she had witnessed
to shooting exactly one year earlier had now become the
scene of her own murder, and the irony was not
lost on her family. Cassandra's son, Calvin Brown, knew immediately
(04:19):
that his mother's death was not random. He told reporters,
my mom was not a random murder. The family believed
that Cassandra had been specifically targeted for her role as
a witness in the previous shooting case. The vandalism of
her home weeks before the murder only strengthened their feelings,
(04:43):
but proving retaliation in court has been complex. Despite more
than one hundred people being present at the block party,
the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office or JSO, has not released any
information about a possible suspect. The JSO continues to investigate
Cassandra's murder, but the case remains unsolved. No arrests have
(05:09):
been made in no suspects have been publicly identified. Cassandra's
son says he in the entire community know exactly who
pulled the trigger that evening, but he says, out of
respect for the local law enforcement, I'm going to allow
(05:31):
them to do their due diligence and their job. The
very public nature of the murder happening in front of
all those people suggests that the killer wanted to send
a very strong message, possibly frightening anyone else who might
consider speaking up. Cassandra's case highlights a devastating problem within
(05:56):
the criminal justice system. Witnesses play a crucial role in
successful prosecutions, but when they face retaliation, the entire system
breaks down. As the investigation goes on, Cassandra's family continues
to fight for answers. Her funeral drew community members who
(06:20):
remembered her as a woman who stood up for what
was right and was there when anyone needed it. Today,
Cassandra's killer remains free. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is still
searching for the person responsible for her murder. Somewhere in Jacksonville.
Someone knows who pulled the trigger that night. My thoughts
(06:44):
and prayers are with the family and friends of Cassandra Brown.
Anyone with information about her death should contact the Jacksonville
Sheriff's Office or crime stoppers. You can find their information
in the description box below. If we close out this episode,
don't forget to click the follow button to stay updated
(07:04):
on Cassandra's case and others like it. Be sure to
subscribe to Hunting for Answers on YouTube and follow us
on Instagram and TikTok for more true crime updates. And
if you are watching us on YouTube, let us know
your thoughts on this case down in the comments. Thank
you so much for joining us. On another episode until
(07:29):
next time. Hunting for Answers is a production of the
Black Effect Podcast Network. For more podcasts from the Black
Effect Podcast Network, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or
wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Hunting for Answers is a production of the Black Effect
Podcast Network and iHeartRadio. Welcome to Hunting for Answers, a
true crime podcast. I'm your host Hunter, and today we're
discussing a case that took place in Jacksonville, Florida, in
June twenty twenty five. This case highlights the deadly consequences
(00:21):
of witness intimidation and the courage it takes to speak
up for justice. A sixty something year old grandmother battling
breast cancer had done what many consider their civic duty.
She testified as a witness and a criminal trial, she
helped put a dangerous woman behind bars. But speaking for
(00:43):
the truth would cost her everything. Just one month after
her home was vandalized, she would be gunned down and
broad daylight at a community block party. This is the
story of Cassandra Brown. Cassandra Brown was known throughout her
(01:04):
Jacksonville neighborhood as Shorty and was a beloved grandmother who
had become a pillar of her community on Groth Street.
Despite battling breast cancer, Cassandra maintained her vibrant spirit. She
was described by those who knew her as a fun
loving person who was cherished by her entire family and
(01:25):
many people in the community. But Cassandra had something that
would make her a target. She had witnessed a crime
in twenty twenty four. A year later, she would stand
in court to recount what she saw. In June twenty
twenty four, exactly one year before her death, Cassandra Brown
(01:46):
witnessed a shocking crime on the very same street where
she would later be killed. According to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reports,
Cassandra and another witness watched as a fifty seven year
old woman rode up on a black bicycle, pulled out
a gun out of a grocery bag, and shot at
(02:07):
a man at least four times. When police arrived to investigate,
Cassandra did what she believed was right. She told them
exactly what she saw. She became a witness in the
criminal case that followed, but speaking in the truth would
soon put her in danger. By May twenty twenty five,
(02:33):
Cassandra's life had taken a terrifying turn. Her home was vandalized,
a clear message from those who didn't want her to
continue cooperating with law enforcement. Cassandra called the Jacksonville Police
Department to report the incident. She knew she was being intimidated,
(02:53):
but she refused to be silenced, and his tampering report
remains heavily redacted, but the message was clear. Someone wanted
Cassandra to stop talking. Unfortunately, the threats wouldn't end with
(03:15):
property damage. June thirteenth, twenty twenty five, a warm Friday
evening in Jacksonville, Groth Street was lively with music and
laughter as more than a hundred people gathered for a
community block party. Cassandra Brown was enjoying the evening, sitting
(03:37):
in a chair outside on the porch, listening to music
and hanging out with friends and neighbors. But someone had
come to the party with deadly intention. As the evening
progressed with dozens of witnesses around, a gunshot rang out.
Cassandra Brown had been shot in the head while sitting
(03:59):
in her chair. The same street where she had witnessed
to shooting exactly one year earlier had now become the
scene of her own murder, and the irony was not
lost on her family. Cassandra's son, Calvin Brown, knew immediately
(04:19):
that his mother's death was not random. He told reporters,
my mom was not a random murder. The family believed
that Cassandra had been specifically targeted for her role as
a witness in the previous shooting case. The vandalism of
her home weeks before the murder only strengthened their feelings,
(04:43):
but proving retaliation in court has been complex. Despite more
than one hundred people being present at the block party,
the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office or JSO, has not released any
information about a possible suspect. The JSO continues to investigate
Cassandra's murder, but the case remains unsolved. No arrests have
(05:09):
been made in no suspects have been publicly identified. Cassandra's
son says he in the entire community know exactly who
pulled the trigger that evening, but he says, out of
respect for the local law enforcement, I'm going to allow
(05:31):
them to do their due diligence and their job. The
very public nature of the murder happening in front of
all those people suggests that the killer wanted to send
a very strong message, possibly frightening anyone else who might
consider speaking up. Cassandra's case highlights a devastating problem within
(05:56):
the criminal justice system. Witnesses play a crucial role in
successful prosecutions, but when they face retaliation, the entire system
breaks down. As the investigation goes on, Cassandra's family continues
to fight for answers. Her funeral drew community members who
(06:20):
remembered her as a woman who stood up for what
was right and was there when anyone needed it. Today,
Cassandra's killer remains free. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is still
searching for the person responsible for her murder. Somewhere in Jacksonville.
Someone knows who pulled the trigger that night. My thoughts
(06:44):
and prayers are with the family and friends of Cassandra Brown.
Anyone with information about her death should contact the Jacksonville
Sheriff's Office or crime stoppers. You can find their information
in the description box below. If we close out this episode,
don't forget to click the follow button to stay updated
(07:04):
on Cassandra's case and others like it. Be sure to
subscribe to Hunting for Answers on YouTube and follow us
on Instagram and TikTok for more true crime updates. And
if you are watching us on YouTube, let us know
your thoughts on this case down in the comments. Thank
you so much for joining us. On another episode until
(07:29):
next time. Hunting for Answers is a production of the
Black Effect Podcast Network. For more podcasts from the Black
Effect Podcast Network, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or
wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Host
Hunter Gilmore
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