Man found dead in Westside backyard

Police had received reports of gunshots in area

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon on the city's Westside, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. 

About 12:30 p.m., the Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of gunshots in the area of Westbrook Circle near Commonwealth Avenue, east of McDuff Avenue.

When officers arrived to the scene, they found the man dead in a backyard, JSO Lt. Ellis Burns said. The victim has not yet been identified.

Investigators are obtaining a search warrant to enter the property, Burns said.

The victim was found around the corner from where police say a couple was shot to death in their car in January. Police said George Ashley, 26, and Brittany White, 21, were shot and killed by someone inside the vehicle. Their 6-month-old baby was also in the car, but was not hurt. The killer has not yet been found, police said.

Investigators do not believe the cases are connected. 

A neighbor told News4Jax said the location where the murder happened Wednesday is known for drugs and violence.

"I knew it was going to happen again," Arthur Marshall said. "I got a little baby over there. I got a kid over there."

He said he heard about 10 gunshots while inside his home, but didn't want to come out and see everything.

"The last incident that happened over there, everybody told them. They said they were checking it out, ain't nothing happened yet. That shouldn't have even happened. It shouldn't of been that way," Marshall said. 

There is no suspect information and the Sheriff's Office continues to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.