JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man was found dead on Melson Avenue late Friday night after witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots just before midnight.
The man’s family later called News4Jax and said his name was Nicholas Brown, 29, and that they would be holding a vigil for him Saturday evening at Melson Avenue and West 1st Street.
Brown’s sister, Anna Burks, said the news of his death was a shock.
“I got it through a text message, which made it even worse,” she said. “It was such a shock, I couldn’t breathe.”
A woman told News4Jax Brown was a close family friend and was a father.
She said she was home when the gunshots went off very close to her house.
Family members got together hours later for a vigil to honor his life.
“He would give you the shirt off his back. That’s why I’m trying to figure out why he was gunned down,” said Brown’s sister, Shanika Rozier.
Family members wore purple and held purple balloons to symbolize royalty. They said Brown was the king of the family.
“He was always the protector,” Burks said.
“Nicholas was very near and dear to our hearts, and he didn’t deserve to be taken away so soon,” said Yolanda Brown, Nicholas Brown’s cousin.
Police said they’re speaking with witnesses who saw what happened. Police got reports of a fight that led up to the shooting. Investigators are working to confirm that.
“From my understanding, there were two people with him, and they took off after shots were fired,” Burks said.
The woman who spoke to News4Jax said she heard about the fight but feels this wasn’t the way to go about it.
“He was a good man. He had a big heart and did not deserve this,” Victoria said. “It’s senseless. Have humanity because it doesn’t seem that anyone has that anymore. This world is gone.”
Detectives were canvassing the area, looking for surveillance videos, and speaking with neighbors. When asked if there’s a threat to the Woodstock community, JSO said witnesses need to speak up so they can find the shooter as soon as possible.
Anyone with information is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
Within the last 48 hours, there have been multiple acts of violence in Jacksonville:
- A woman was found dead at an apartment on Old Kings Road South. JSO has a man in custody who is being questioned.
- Bullet fragments hit another man, who wasn’t cooperating with police when questioned.
- On Water Street, a man shot someone he said was trying to rob him.
- Then on the Southside, a 25-year-old was shot in a parking lot. He is expected to survive. Police don’t have a description of the suspect.