Local
Jacksonville Teen Shot in Abdomen While Walking with Friends; Two Gunmen Remain at Large
A teenage boy was shot in the abdomen Wednesday evening while walking with friends on Silver Creek Place near Atlantic and Southside boulevards, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The two unknown men who opened fire fled west and remain at large, and detectives are asking the public for tips.
A teenage boy was shot in the abdomen Wednesday evening while walking with friends on Jacksonville's Southside, and the two men who opened fire remain at large, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
Officers were called at about 7:50 p.m. to the 300 block of Silver Creek Place, near the intersection of Atlantic and Southside boulevards, where they found the juvenile â described as being in his mid-teens â suffering from a gunshot wound. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department crews took him to a local hospital. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The teen told investigators he was walking with friends when two unknown men began shooting in his direction. He ran east, while the suspects ran west, according to JSO. The victim reported no argument or altercation beforehand and told detectives he did not know why the men shot at him.
JSO said investigators believe the shooting was isolated and that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Detectives had not determined whether the victim knew the suspects or whether the shooting was domestic- or gang-related. Investigators were also checking whether any nearby homes or businesses were struck.
One suspect was described as a man wearing all-black clothing. The other was described as a man wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue pants.
Crime-scene detectives recovered several shell casings and were processing the scene, JSO said. Robbery and Violent Crime Unit detectives were interviewing witnesses, looking for surveillance video and following up on leads.
Anyone with information is asked to contact JSO at 904-630-0500, email JSOCRIMETIPS@JAXSHERIFF.ORG, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
The shooting adds to a grim tally of gun violence involving young people in Jacksonville, where community groups have repeatedly called for expanded violence-intervention programs and stronger support for at-risk youth. Wednesday's incident left a teenager hospitalized and two armed suspects on the street, underscoring the stakes for residents who say they want safer neighborhoods and a faster, more transparent response from law enforcement.
JSO did not release the victim's name or age, citing juvenile privacy practices, and said the investigation remains active.