Man shot during drug deal on Westside

Police ID victim as Devanti Brown Jr.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One man is dead after a shooting Monday night just off Interstate 295 on Jacksonville's Westside, authorities said.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has identified the victim as Devanti R. Brown Jr., 23 of Macclenny. 

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Officers responded to a call around 11:40 p.m. about a man in his mid-20s who had died from an apparent gunshot wound. Police said two men were trying to buy narcotics near Lane Avenue and Wilson Boulevard.

"He was shot at that scene and transported to where we found him at I-295 and I-10 and was declared dead at the scene," said JSO homicide Sgt. Jay Farhat. “Early indications are that the victim went there with another individual to possibly purchase some type of narcotics and at some point during the transaction something went wrong."

According to the Sheriff's Office, the victim's friend drove Brown away from the scene then flagged down police for help off I-295. Farhart said that man was taken in for questioning and is cooperating.

“At this point and time I can't say if anybody is going to be under arrest,” Farhart said. “There's a lot more we have to do to figure out what exactly transpired and what they know or don't know. It’s a lot of factors. Right now he's a witness and is cooperative.”