JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Chaos ensued Saturday outside the Avenues Mall after a firearm was discharged in the parking lot and hit a vehicle.
No one was hurt, but large crowds scattered, and police were seen trying to corral the frenzied scene.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detained one person, and investigators are still looking for the person who fired the weapon.
Since the incident, Jacksonville City Councilmember Raul Arias, who represents the district where the Avenues Mall is located, told News4JAX that he wants the city and JSO to work with parents to curb the issues that led to Saturday’s bedlam.
A scene that was similar to previous incidents at the Orange Park Mall involving large crowds of teenagers drawing police attention because of their behavior.
“This is something they’ve been monitoring for quite a while now,” Arias said. “This is not new to them. It’s just they’re constantly shifting from different locations, and that’s the biggest thing right now with the Sheriff’s Office that they’re trying to figure out, ‘OK, they’re going to be here,’ we need police presence, but they move them around.”
Mayor Donna Deegan shared a brief statement with News4JAX about Saturday’s incident, saying that she is “grateful that no one was injured and for the fast response by JSO.”
Saturday’s incident spread well beyond the property lines of the mall.
News4JAX also spoke with an employee of the nearby Target store, which is a few blocks away.
“It was actually pretty intimidating because I was standing right by the entrance,” said Michael Martinda. “They’re all wearing dark colored clothing. I’m hearing they’re running across Southside (Boulevard). Not only a danger to them but a danger to drivers.”