‘About to kill someone:’ Text messages of suspect accused of killing man in St. Augustine revealed

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Update: 12:22 p.m., 2/3/2023

St. Augustine Police Public Information Officer Dee Brown gave updates on Friday afternoon about Thursday morning’s fatal shooting on Anastasia Boulevard and SAPD also released a police report on the incident. Here’s what was revealed:

At 1:47 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to person being shot. Once police arrived, the officer noticed several people frantic behind a British pub on Anastasia Boulevard.

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The officer observed the victim, Jason Mullins, laying on the ground in a puddle of blood with multiple gun shot wounds to the chest. A medical examiner observed the body and 10 distinct bullets wounds were identified.

Mullins was pronounced dead by St. Johns County Fire Rescue.

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The suspect, Vance Wilkins, was observed driving a black Toyota pick-up truck. According to police, Mullins and Wilkins seem to get into an exchange of words then Mullins attempts to shake his hand.

Police said they observed Wilkins on surveillance video driving away to the rear area of the British Pub. He parks his car behind O’Steens restaurant and begins walking toward the alleyway.

Suveillance video shows Mullen leaving British Pub and he walks towards the alleyway also.

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Police say based off surveillance, they see Wilkins making motions as if he were carrying a concealed weapon.

No actual surveillance caught the shooting but there was enough evidence to arrest Wilkins.

Police were able to identify the vehicle tag and arrest Wilkins.

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In the report, one witness states they observed the suspect shooting at the victim and then standing over him and shooting multiple times.

According to the report, a second witness said they received texts from Wilkins at 1:31 a.m. saying, “about to kill someone” and the witness responds saying, “Why would u want to kill someone,” and Wilkins responded back saying “(Expletive) Jason.” Witness responds and said “what’s going on,” and Wilkins replies “It’s about to down.”

Brown said that when Wilkins was taken into custody, he did confess to the shooting.

Update: 8:00 p.m., 2/2/2023

“We would like to inform the public that an arrest has been made in regards to the fatal shooting this morning in the 200 block of Anastasia Blvd. Vance Wilkins, 34 has been charged with 2nd degree murder in the homicide of Jason Mullins, 50. Again, this was an isolated incident and no threat to the community. More details will be released tomorrow during a 12:30pm press conference at the St. Augustine Police Department 151 King Street. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early and thank you for your patience.”

Original story from 2/2/2023:

At around 2 a.m. Thursday, St. Augustine police responded to a fatal shooting in the 200 block of Anastasia Boulevard.

Police say this crime was committed by one person and it is not a threat to the community.

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The shooting happened in a service alley way behind several small businesses off of Anastasia Boulevard.

”It was about 1:40 in the morning,” Pub Owner James Wilson, said. “We heard something like fireworks going off -- a rapid succession of pops and bangs.”

Wilson ran out of bed and came outside immediately.

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”We looked down the street [and] didn’t see anything,” Wilson said. “Was actually turning back when one of my other employees said he saw someone laying in the street.”

St. Augustine police have not named the victim or the suspect.

Wilson said the victim was a regular.

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”He was known throughout the city,” Wilson said. “Everybody loved him. He was a good guy. I can’t imagine who would want to do that.”

The investigation is active and police are not able to release more information at the moment.

If you have any information or video surveillance regarding this incident, please contact Detective Drouin at cdrouin@staugpd.com or 904-209-3487.

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