JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A day after four people were shot within 90 minutes of each other in Northwest Jacksonville, Sheriff Mike Williams, Mayor Lenny Curry, and local pastors met with at-risk youth at City Hall to discuss ways they can reduce crime.
All four shooting victims from Monday night are expected to be OK, but so far there have been no arrests, and the violence has left people who live in that part of town on edge.
Williams said the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is focusing on getting the people responsible for those shootings off the streets. He said JSO is constantly looking at where police resources can best be used to reduce crime.
One woman, who was on her porch when shots rang out Monday night on West 23rd Street, said she was unnerved.
"What happened yesterday is enough to shake anybody's nerves," Donna Herbert said.
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Police said a man in his 30s was shot in the forearm in a drive-by around 6 p.m. No suspect information was given.
Not far away, a man was shot in the leg while riding his bicycle, according to JSO. The man told police a blue car was seen leaving the area.
Police said the next shooting happened on Vernon Street in the Grand Park area around 7:30 p.m. and left a man with a wound to his thigh. No suspect information was given in that shooting.
The fourth shooting occurred about the same time on Melson Avenue. Officers said a man walking down the street was shot in the hand. The man said he was shot by a person who was driving by in a white Cadillac.
Pastor Mark Griffin said more people need to get involved to reduce violence.
"I think every individual resident has to take ownership, if nothing else, at least for their own vicinity, their own block," Griffin said. "JSO can't be on every corner. Pastors and City Council persons, mayors and sheriffs -- we can't be everywhere."
Residents were outraged last summer after several shootings in the Moncrief area.
Those shootings and a series of gang-related shootings in Northwest Jacksonville this spring, spurred Griffin and several others to come together to create a seven-point plan to reduce violence.
The plan included working with the Sheriff's Office. Williams said several things are being done to make Northwest Jacksonville safer.
"You do increase patrols. You concentrate on these investigations -- solve the ones that we can and make sure we get those impact players off the street," Williams said.
Bishop John Guns said he is glad the sheriff and the mayor are meeting with at-risk youth.
"The opportunity for them to share their heart and the opportunity for these young me to share their heart, and then in the end we bringing together men around the city," Guns said.
More similar meetings are planned in the future.
The sheriff also said JSO is constantly looking at crime stats and evaluating where resources are.
He said they're now looking at a more long-term solution.
Meanwhile, police aren't saying what sparked the four shootings Monday night. They're also not saying if they're connected.
Anyone with any information about any of the shootings is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward up to $3,000.