JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than a dozen homes and cars have been damaged in Jacksonville’s Mandarin area by shots fired from a BB gun, one homeowner said.
The Mandarin homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, said the community is fearful that the shootings may continue.
The man said more than a dozen homeowners in his neighborhood have been affected by BB gun shots fired into their cars and inside their homes in the last week.
“We have citizens not sleeping in their front bedrooms, because now, houses are being targeted,” the homeowner said.
He said he won’t even let his little girl sleep in her bedroom, because he’s scared that whoever’s doing it may come back to shoot another round.
Since it began last Friday morning, he said he’s filed numerous reports with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
As of Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office had four reports on file from people in the area who said their cars were damaged on Friday.
According to an incident report, several BBs were shot into a Turner Pest Control truck parked on Cypress Bend Court. The damage was estimated at $150, the report said.
Police said another vehicle on Cypress Bend Court had several BBs were shot into the driver side window, shattering the window and causing an estimated $250 worth of damage.
Another incident report says BBs were shot into the back window of a truck parked in a driveway on Attrill Road. There was reportedly $600 worth of damage to the vehicle, police said.
A fourth report said a rock was thrown through the window of one car on Otters Run Lane, causing an estimated $150 worth of damage. The incident report said the “case was related to other vehicles with windows shot out by a BB gun during the night.”
The man who News4Jax spoke to said it will cost him $3,000 to repair his vehicle damaged by BB gun shots. He said many neighbors are dealing with the same damage.
“With the side windshields, the tail light, the front windshield and all, I was given a soft quote of over $3,000 to replace glass in my vehicle,” the man said.
For now, he has to use to plastic bags to cover up what’s left of his car window.
But there is no word yet about who is shooting through cars and homes and why it’s being done.
“He (the officer) said that this has been going on for three weeks and then a one week intermission. Now, it’s followed by starting up again.”
The homeowner said it’s happening between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., but he doesn’t know how many people are involved.
He said his biggest fear is property damage.
“It’s property damage. I believe it’s way beyond a felony level,” the man said. “It’s been ramping up all week. Now, we are getting objects shot into houses. We are going to end up with injury or loss of life on this.”
The man said he won’t give up until someone is brought to justice.
“At this point obviously, police are unable to stop this. The citizens are going to have to stop this.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office.