A Jacksonville man who shot and partially paralyzed his neighbor in what LGBTQ+ members called a hate crime has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Tyler Getchell, 30, pleaded guilty May 4 to a reduced charge of attempted manslaughter after initially being charged with attempted murder of 24-year-old Kyle McFarlane, court records show. His attorneys filed a 119-page memorandum requesting a downward departure for his sentence, citing he had no prior felony convictions, served in the Navy five years, showed remorse and remained at the scene.
McFarlane posted on his Facebook that Getchell will see more time if he doesn’t compensate his medical bills and care. The sentence also included additional measures upon release such as mental health follow-up and no contact with the victim or victim’s family.
“7 years prison. 2 years community service. 3 years probation. Restitution. You will, indeed, have a long time to think about what you did,” he posted the evening of the July 17 sentencing by Judge London Kite. “I turned to watch you be taken away. Think about that. One day perhaps, we can be on better terms. I don’t hate you, Tyler Getchell. I hate your behavior.”
What happened to Kyle McFarlane?
The shooting happened the afternoon of Nov. 22, 2025, on Green Street in the Murray Hill neighborhood,
According to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report, McFarlane and a friend said they were collecting discarded furniture near his house for a bonfire when the neighbors came outside and started yelling to get off their property.
A verbal argument ensued, and Getchell’s girlfriend Cathy Ann McGinnis walked toward McFarlane holding a belt. McFarlane admitted to shoving her because he believed she was about to attack him. Immediately afterward, he heard a gunshot and fell to the ground after being shot in the back by Getchell, according to the report.
McFarlane provided a video that captured part of the altercation. The video shows him standing on the easement of the property, closer to Green Street, and not on the sidewalk for the entire duration of the recording. McGinnis is seen walking toward him while holding a large leather belt. She can be heard stating, “If you don’t get off my property, I’ll beat your ass with this,” the report states.
McFarlane is observed walking backward, in the direction of his residence, while continuing to argue. Getchell then steps between him and McGinnis, repeatedly telling McFarlane to get off his property. The victim responds by saying “OK” while continuing to walk backward. The video ends abruptly.
The other witness with McFarlane stated that he was carrying an axe to chop the wood and furniture, but emphasized that at no time did he raise the axe or hold it in a manner that could be perceived as threatening. He acknowledged that he exchanged heated words with the suspect. However, when the suspect threatened, “I will shoot you if you don’t get off my property,” he realized the confrontation would not de-escalate and began walking away before hearing a gunshot.
Getchell told detectives he was inside his residence when he heard a loud noise outside. He observed the victim and the victim’s friend rummaging through the trash belonging to his neighbor. They began to argue, and although Getchell acknowledged that the victim was standing only on the easement adjacent to his property, he considered the victim to be trespassing. So he went inside to retrieve his firearm.
When he returned, he said McGinnis was on the sidewalk arguing with the victim. Getchell said he attempted to separate the two, but the victim shoved him aside and began attacking McGinnis. He also said he saw the victim reaching toward his waistband or pocket, so he shot him and instructed his girlfriend to call 911.
A prior anti-gay history
After Getchell was arrested on scene, McFarlane filed an injunction for protection against stalking by McGinnis.
“For weeks before 11/22/25, Respondent and her husband/boyfriend, Tyler Getchell, posted antigay signs in their window and had entered Petitioner’s property on several occasions to smear dog feces on Petitioner’s home. On at least one occasioin, Respondent and Getchell illegally entered Petitioner’s gated backyard and put Petitioner’s dogs in a hot garage without water and then smeared dog feces on the back of Petitioner’s home.”
The document proceeded: “Respondent and her husband/boyfriend, Tyler Getchell, hate gay people and intimidated Petitioner to the point that he feared for his life before 11/22/25, and had installed a security camera days before facing Respondent’s home. Additional security cameras were purchased by Petitioner before 11/22/25 because of his fear of his safety and were delivered the morning of 11/22/25 but not yet installed.”
McFarlane suffered complications from his wound because the bullet was lodged in his spine. A GoFundMe in December state he is “steadily recovering and is overwhelmed with appreciation for all of the support he has received.”