JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A boy in his late teens was shot and killed early Wednesday morning in a Westside apartment complex once known as Eureka Gardens.
According to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Steve Rudlaff, officers were called to the complex, now called Valencia Way, just before 5:30 a.m. after multiple 911 callers reported a shooting.
The officers found the teen near Building 26 of the complex, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
When paramedics arrived, they pronounced him dead.
Rudlaff said the teen is believed to be either 17 or 18 years old.
News4JAX records show at least 29 children, ages 17 or younger have been shot this year. Nine of them died.
“I don’t agree with gun violence and especially young people, teenagers who haven’t had a chance to experience life deserve a second chance and deserve a chance to redeem themselves, and I think it should stop,” Jacksonville resident Amanda Hanshaw said.
This was the first homicide at Valencia Way Apartments this year.
This year, three people were shot at the apartments. In 2022, six people were shot, and two people were killed. Both of those homicides were the result of shootouts.
Violent crime at this complex had gone down, but has seen a slight increase in the last two years.
“I think people should learn how to work together and communicate and I think unity is a very important thing,” Hanshaw said.
The sheriff called the shooting an isolated incident, and said investigators are asking anyone with information or who lives in the complex, to reach out to detectives.
If you have information you can call JSO at 904-630-0500 or CrimeStoppers at 866-845-TIPS.