JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Four bullet holes that remain on the side of a gold Toyota Highlander tell the story of what Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigators say began as a hit-and-run and ended in gunfire on St. Johns Bluff Road.
“It was the most gruesome excruciating pain I’ve ever felt,” Connor said, speaking to News4JAX one week after the shooting.
Due to safety concerns with the shooter still at large, News4JAX is only using his first name.
According to JSO’s initial investigation, officers responded to the 1700 block of St. Johns Bluff Road South around 9 p.m. on Feb. 3, where they found Connor suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Connor tells News4JAX that as he was driving to help a friend move, another driver hit his car and attempted to flee. He says he followed the vehicle, hoping to get insurance information.
“My thought process was insurance first,” the 20-year-old explained. “I need to make sure he can’t just run while I am left with the damages.”
At a red light, Connor says he pulled up beside the other driver’s vehicle.
“I can see him kind of shuttering his body like he’s doing something,” Connor recalled. “At first I thought it was just he’s taking off his seatbelt... I see his right arm kind of move across his chest and that’s when he lets off the shots.”
In the moments that followed, Connor said he found himself alone on a busy road, with other drivers passing.
“It was a scary experience. Everyone was driving by like it didn’t even happen. I was by myself,” he said.
Bleeding and uncertain of his fate, Connor made what he feared might be his final phone call. His voice breaks as he remembers reaching out to his grandmother:
“First thing was I wanted to get my affairs in order, if let’s say I did die. I wanted everyone to know how much I loved them and cared about them.”
X-rays shown to News4JAX show the bullet remains lodged in Connor’s abdomen.
The physical recovery has been challenging, but he said the emotional toll weighs just as heavily. Activities he once enjoyed – spending time with friends and taking photographs – now feel almost impossible.
“This makes it so much more difficult because I can’t even see the light in the darkness,” he said. “It feels like everything is just going to shambles.”
Throughout his stay at the hospital and return home, Connor said the support of friends has become a crucial part of his journey:
“The thing I’m glad about is that so many of my true friends came out to visit me and see me and help me. I’m so thankful because it could have gone so many different ways.”
As he works toward recovery, Connor’s thoughts have turned to his community and what might prevent similar incidents in the future.
“People need to watch their anger on the road. People really need to just sit back for a second and listen to their emotions.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact JSO at (904) 630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous, witnesses can call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.