Car connected to 2 drive-by shootings found, police say

Boy injured, woman grazed by bullet in shootings at nearby parks, police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A blue Buick LeSabre believed to be connected to a pair of drive-by shootings at two Northwest Jacksonville parks Tuesday has been recovered, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

A boy was injured and a woman was grazed by a bullet in the shootings, which are believed to be related.

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According to JSO, the vehicle described in each of the incidents was an older model blue Buick LeSabre. Police have recovered a 2000 blue Buick LeSabre and believe it is the one involved in the drive-by shootings.

Police said many individuals were at the two locations during the shootings, and they are asking for anyone that might have seen the vehicle in the area before, during or after the shooting to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office with any information that might assist in the investigation.

Police said the shootings appear to be related, but it's unclear if the shots were targeted at someone in particular. 

Lt. Ellis Burns said a 12-year-old boy was sitting on a bench by the basketball court at Charles Clark Park on Sibbald Road at 7:21 p.m. when the car drove by and someone inside started firing out the window.

The boy took off running, but was shot in the leg, Burns said. 

Bernard Brown, a football coach and athletic director of Charles Clark Park, told News4Jax the shooting lasted for three minutes as three gunmen reloaded and the 70 children -- who were attending football camp and playing basketball -- ran for cover behind the concession stand. 

The 12-year-old was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. 

Brown said he saw three shooters hanging out of the Buick, which had stopped in the middle of the street. 

Seven minutes later, a second drive-by shooting was reported about 2 miles away at Yancey Park on Soutel Drive. 

A 30-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet at the park's baseball field, where a T-ball game was going on, Burns said.

Burns said multiple shell casings from different guns were recovered at the parks. 

Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.