JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A body found Thursday afternoon in a Northside neighborhood is being investigated as a murder, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Officers responded about 1:30 p.m. to a call about a person injured in the Bunker Hill area, just north of Edgewood Avenue and south of the Ribault River. Sky 4 aerial video showed officers in the area of Pickett Street and Bunker Hill Boulevard.
When police arrived, according to the Sheriff's Office, they found a person dead. Police said foul play is suspected. The person's name and age were not released by police, but family members identified the man as Lucious Williams, who they said was found dead in a guest house behind a home.
"It's a tragedy. It's a hurtful thing and it shouldn't have happened like this. But we don't really know exactly what happened," said Michael Genes, who identified himself as Williams' cousin. "That was my big cousin. (He was the) sweetest person ever, had no enemies. He was always there for the family. He always looked out for the family."
According to Genes, Williams, 66, was retired and had been renting the guest house for about five years. A man, who wished to remain anonymous, told News4Jax his family owns the property and one of his family members found Williams' body on a bed.
"He goes in and comes out with a ghost face," the man said. "He described a gruesome scene."
On Friday, the home was still surrounded by police tape and a patrol car. Williams' family members said they are waiting to go inside. They want answers.
"It makes no sense, makes no sense whatsoever," Genes said. "But the main thing is we've got to get to the bottom of this one. We have got to get to the bottom. If they can't do it, we (are going to) do it."
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.