Boy, 12, shot in knee in NW Jacksonville

Police: Boy's mother drove him to hospital

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 12-year-old boy was shot in the knee outside a home in Northwest Jacksonville on Thursday afternoon, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Police said the boy's mother drove him to UF Health Jacksonville at about 2:20 p.m. after he was shot at 2021 Prospect St. W.

Police said they're not sure how the boy was shot or who shot him and whether or not the shooting was accidental.

They said as a result of not having that information, there were no immediate suspects, but they are investigating the incident and the boy is being cooperative.

Police said the boy's parents were home at the time.

The boy was released from the hospital Thursday evening and is back at home.

One neighbor said she's thankful the boy wasn't more seriously injured but she's disturbed that this happened in the first place.

"Like I told the detective, they'd been shooting firecrackers outside, so I thought it was one of those loud firecrackers," said Tami Smith, who lives across the street from where the boy was shot.

It wasn't long before Smith realized what had really happened.

"I'm just glad nobody died," Smith said. "That's what I thought initially. Somebody must have shot themselves. It is a relief to know no one is dead. Still, it's bad."

Smith said it's not uncommon for the kids in the neighborhood to throw firecrackers. Several of them could be seen in the street Thursday night and also in the grass and on the sidewalk.

Smith said now that this has happened, she'll keep an even closer eye on her little girl.

"I know a lot of parents let their children play outside when it's dark in the summertime, but we don't do that," Smith said. "It's a different time. People think different things are OK. I'll still just be watching her. She's not out unless I'm out."