JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five people were shot at a large gathering at an Airbnb in Arlington over the weekend, including a 16-year-old boy, whose mother spoke to News4JAX about his condition.
“My son is ok. He will be ok,” the mother said.
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She shared photos with News4JAX, asking that her son’s face be blurred. She described seeing multiple gunshot wounds on his body and said he required emergency surgery.
“He is giving everything he has,” she added.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) reported the incident happened at a home on Arlingwood Avenue, where about 20 people were gathered. An argument between two groups escalated into a shooting.
JSO said two women in their early 20s had non-life-threatening wounds to the thigh and the arm; two men in their early 20s were both shot in the leg; and the 16-year-old was shot once in the back, also non-life-threatening.
The mother said she was still searching for answers.
“I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what led up to the incident. I truly do not know,” she said. “All I know is that my 16-year-old son went to a party and an altercation happened, and my son ended up getting shot.”
JSO confirmed the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.
Neighbors are also continuing to express concerns about safety in the area, saying the house is a short-term rental and they’re concerned for their safety.
“At nighttime, we do hear them partying, ‘til 2, 3 in the morning,” Christine Mallis, who has lived in the neighborhood for 14 years, said. “Sometimes I hear it at 4 in the morning when I go to work. It’s horrible.”
Two other neighbors told News4JAX this weekend that more than one incident has happened at that house.
Mallis said she saw the scene heading to work.
“I leave at 4 o’clock in the morning. I want to feel safe. I want to protect myself,” she said.
Neighbors said they plan to file complaints with Airbnb. A spokesperson for Airbnb directed News4JAX to the Neighborhood Support Line, which allows people to report parties, noise complaints, or neighborhood concerns.
The spokesperson also noted, “We take action, including removing users and suspending listings in response to reports of criminal behavior or threats to safety.”
The Airbnb listing for the house is not available, according to the website.